How To Wear Shoes With Sunburned Feet

Last Updated on September 10, 2023 by Martina McKeough

Do you want to know how to wear shoes with sunburned feet? If so hopefully I can help you with some simple remedies to soothe the pain and inflammation so that you can wear your shoes with minimal pain.

Sunburn is something I know plenty about as I have pale Irish skin which burns in the slightest sun. I spent a good part of my childhood with red marks and blisters from the sun (sunscreen wasn’t a big thing in the 1970s) and know how horrible it felt.

Now I know better and apply sunscreen (factor 50) whenever I am out in the sun but I know that even with the best intentions it is still possible to get burned especially on areas of the body like the feet which can be overlooked.

Here is what to do if you have burnt the skin on your feet so that you can walk in your shoes again as soon as possible.

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What To Do When You Have Sunburn on Your Foot And It Hurts to Walk

So what can you do if you have sunburned feet and when you try and walk in your footwear you find it hurts?

Well if you want to know how to wear shoes with sunburned feet there are two simple steps you can take. Firstly you need to do something to reduce the immediate pain and then you need to do something to reduce and soothe the red inflammation which makes your skin feel super sensitive.

If you have blisters on the top of your feet do not pop them! If you are that badly sunburned bathing them in cool water or making cool compresses is the way to go.

If you are just dealing with sunburn your first step to getting back to normal is to take something for the pain such as ibuprofen or aspirin. This doesn’t actually cure the problem but it will make things significantly easier for you.

Once you have done something to reduce the pain you need to get rid of the inflammation. Here’s a list of some of the products that can help.

Apply Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera gel is one of nature’s wonderful products that are fantastic for helping to heal the skin. This is one of my top choices to use if I ever have sunburn.

Not only does Aloe Vera help to relieve any burns but it also helps to stop irritation and moisturize the skin as well. It even helps blisters which means it is the perfect product to apply when you have sunburn to help reduce swelling and promote healing.

Regular application of Aloe Vera can help to reduce inflammation and stop that hot feeling on your feet making it one of my favorite products for helping reduce swelling and redness.

Use Kitchen Burn Cream As A Sunburn Swollen Feet Remedy

If you want to know how to wear shoes with sunburned feet try some Kitchen Burn Cream which is a great product to have around the home to help deal with any form of burnt skin.

The product contains amazing ingredients such as camomile, shea butter, zinc oxide and vitamin E oil which can all help to heal and soothe that redness and sore skin.

Just apply it to the problem area and it will help to reduce any swelling and pain. It also helps to get rid of itching and prevents infections from spreading which makes it a great product to use on any sun damage.

Use a Soothing Cream Such as Panthenol Plus

There are plenty of creams out there on the market that can help to heal sunburn and soothe skin that is feeling hot and uncomfortable.

Panthenol Plus is an example of a great cream that can be used on sunburn and other burns to help with inflammation. This will hydrate your skin and reduce any itching you are experiencing plus it can help to heal your body faster.

Apply regularly in the first couple of days after you are sunburned and you should start to see a difference.

What To Do When Your Feet Are Sunburned – Use Apple Cider Vinegar

If you have apple cider vinegar around your kitchen then it can be a great product to use to help soothe your sunburn.

Apple cider vinegar is a natural product that is antibacterial which means it can be helpful in preventing infection. It is also anti-inflammatory which means if you place it on any sunburn it can bring down any redness or swelling.

Just note that you shouldn’t use this method if you have blisters or wounds as this can make the problem worse. Also, make sure the product is well diluted. Do not put it onto your skin neat.

Diluted with water and gently patted onto your red skin should be enough to help the problem.

Bathing in Oatmeal and Baking Soda

Learning how to wear shoes with sunburned feet can sometimes be as simple as using some common kitchen ingredients that can really help to soothe your skin if you have sunburn. In particular, taking a cool bath in baking soda or oatmeal can help to make a difference.

You don’t even need to take a bath as a foot soak using these products can help if you want to help your poor sunburned feet.

In the case of baking soda place a couple of heaped teaspoons into the water and then immerse your entire foot in the bath for five or ten minutes.

Oatmeal can work just as well. Blend the product until it is very fine and place around a cup full into the water and then take a bath to allow it to do its work.

Use Hydrocortisone Cream

Hydrocortisone cream is another great product that helps to soothe inflammation and takes away the dreaded itch that sometimes comes a few days after sunburn.

Apply hydrocortisone cream around 3 times a day to the affected areas to help reduce swelling and promote healing.

As with any of these remedies do not use this on blisters or open wounds or sores or you could risk making your problem worse.

What To Do If You Have Sunburn Feet Blisters

If you have blisters on your feet then it is ok to use moisturizing products or aloe vera gel on the area. These can help to take down some of the inflammation and cool the area down so you feel more comfortable.

Clearly, if you have blisters on your feet you may find it difficult to wear normal shoes because of the friction and pressure. This means you may need to consider either wearing some flip-flops or sandals if you can whilst waiting for your feet to heal.

Just be mindful of where the covered area of the sandals touches your foot. You want to avoid irritating the area where possible or you could create more problems.

Should I Wear Socks With Sunburnt Feet

Where possible try and avoid wearing socks if you have sunburn as they can irritate your foot even more and create unnecessary friction which can cause pain. Definitely don’t wear socks if you have blisters on your feet.

If you do have to wear socks for work choose a pair of cotton ones that are relatively loose so that they don’t cling to your skin. Make sure that you put on a protective cream or gel before wearing them as well to soothe the area.

If you are on vacation you can hopefully get away with wearing flip-flops until your feet have healed. Just make sure that you take measures to protect your burnt feet from the sun and make the problem even worse.

How Long Does it Take For Sunburned Feet to Heal?

The length of time it takes to heal sunburn on your feet will very much depend on the severity of the problem. If you have bad sunburn and blisters this will clearly take longer to heal than mild sunburn.

Expect mild sunburn to last for at least a week as your skin starts to deal. If you have blisters then this time can double as it takes time for the skin to repair itself.

While this is happening take care of your feet with some of the products I’ve mentioned above, take anti-inflammatory medication, and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Taking this approach can help to speed up the process and make you feel more comfortable.

What To Do If You Have Sunburn on the Bottom Of Feet

Whilst I have been mainly talking about burns on the top of your feet because of sun exposure don’t forget the bottom of your feet can get burned as well. Finding out how to wear shoes with sunburned feet which are on the soles is a little more difficult.

Sunburned soles of your feet can be easy to do. If you are lying on a sun lounger face down then your feet are facing up which means they can catch the sun. You can also burn them on the sand if it is too hot.

The same products I have mentioned earlier can all work to help heal the burns but you may have much more difficulty wearing shoes with this type of burn. Flip flops or loose sandals are going to be your best bet as the skin tries to heal. To make it easier to walk put on a dressing on the impacted area but make sure it is not one that sticks to the sore area as getting it off will be very painful. A simple gauze dressing tends to work well.

Finally

Prevention is always better than the cure as I have found to my cost. If you are going out in the sun wear protective clothing and slather yourself in the best sunscreen for your particular needs.

Skin cancer cases have been rising because of our love for exposing our skin to the sun for too long. Don’t make the same mistake again and use your sunburn experience as a wake-up call to take more care in the future.

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