July is UV Safety Awareness Month

With summer in full swing, Anne Arundel County podiatrists Dr. James M. McKee and Dr. Adam Weaver want to take advantage of the opportunity to share information about something you may not have previously considered a foot health-related issue: skin cancer.

Your feet, ankles, and lower legs are as vulnerable to skin cancer as the rest of your body. It is critical to protect this skin when you are outside in the sun. One way to do this is to keep them covered with socks and sneakers or shoes, but that’s not always a practical option. If feet are bare and exposed to the sun, be sure to apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50. Reapply often, especially after swimming or sweating.

Learn to recognize the signs of skin cancer. Remember the mnemonic ABCDE:

• A is for asymmetry. Most moles are symmetrical. A mole that is not should be brought to the attention of your doctor.

•  B is for borders. Be alert to a new or changed mole with irregular borders.

• ·C is for color. You know your body best. If you spot a mole with an unusual color, get it checked.

• D is for diameter. Any mole larger than the eraser on the tip of a pencil should be considered suspect.

• E is for evolving. Normal, healthy moles don’t change.

The good news is that, with years of specialized education and experience, your podiatrist is an expert at diagnosing and treating all illnesses of the feet, ankles, and lower legs and can provide care for skin cancer, including foot and ankle surgery.

Are you worried about skin cancer, or do you have another concern about the health and wellness of your feet, ankles, or lower legs? Call the friendly Podiatry Group of Annapolis, P.A. at 410-224-4448 or click here to schedule a convenient appointment with James M. McKee, DPM, FACFAS, and Adam Weaver, DPM, in our modern, comfortable office on Old Solomons Island Road today.