EFFECT OF SHOE COLOR ON SHOE TEMPERATURE AND POTENTIAL SOLAR INJURY TO THE INSENSATE FOOT

The authors compared shoes of different colors in terms of the amount by which their temperature increased when subjected to radiant heat. T hree trials of temperature measurements were performed for white and b lack leather walking shoes. A balloon filled with water was placed in the shoe and the surface temperature of the balloon was measured at ba seline and after the shoe had been exposed to an infrared heat lamp fo r 15- and 30-minute periods. The results were significant: The mean in crease in temperature after 15 minutes of exposure was between 4.0 deg rees F and 8.8 degrees F greater in the black shoe than in the white s hoe. After 30 minutes of exposure, the mean increase in temperature wa s between 7.8 degrees F and 13.6 degrees F greater in the black shoe t han in the white shoe. This information can help prevent thermal injur y to the insensate foot when shoes are worn in the sun for a prolonged period. Brief case reports of three patients who experienced such the rmal injury are presented.