Get out and enjoy the sun, but be careful

Now that summer is in full swing, and the swimming pools, lakes and outdoor activities are operating at full speed, it is time to think about protecting yourself against the dark side of being in the sun.

Sunlight is important to the body, assisting in the production of vitamin D and helping the emotional side of our health. The sun can also damage our skin, which is the body’s first defense. Basking in the sun makes us feel good. Exposure to the sun is good, but too much of a good thing can be bad.

Suntans are looked upon as healthy and beautiful, but it is really the result of injury to the top layer of the skin. We all know that damaged skin will eventually lead to wrinkles or skin cancer. Too much sun will lead to first-degree burns. Sunburn appears within hours after exposure to the sun and results in redness, heat and mild pain. A second-degree burn is more painful and takes longer to heal. The skin is red, has some swelling and blisters. If you should suffer this type of burn, it is important that you should not break the blisters since it may lead to infection.

We all know that too much sun may cause skin cancers, but there are other skin conditions that are the result of sun exposure. Uneven skin tone is the result of too much sun. Some areas of the skin may be darker than others. Permanent redness is due to the stretching of small blood vessels. Freckles are pigmented spots on the skin found in areas of the skin exposed to the sun. They are more noticeable in the summer. Age spots occur on the face, hands, and chest. Although age spots are harmless, it is still smart to point them out to your doctor. Solar keratosis is small scaly patches of red, brown, or light areas on the skin.

They usually appear after the age of 40 and can be seen on the head, neck, or hands. These spots are the early signs of skin cancer. Farmer’s lip is a precancerous condition that usually appears on the lower lips. Lips become scaly and persistently crack from dryness.

Since it is important for everyone to get outdoors and be active, it is just as important to protect your skin from damage. Sun protection is the act of guarding yourself from the effects of sunlight.

The best way to prevent skin damage is to limit sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The use of sunscreen will minimize the penetration of the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

The sun-protector factor in sunscreen indicates how long a topical sunscreen remains effective when applied to the skin. This effectiveness can be measured by multiplying the SPF by the amount of time it takes the skin to burn or turn red. If it takes 10 minutes for your skin to burn without sunscreen and you intend to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15, you will have approximately 150 minutes of protection time depending on the activity.

If you are perspiring or in the water, sunscreen needs to be applied regularly. Make sure the sunscreen that you use protects against both UV-A and UV-B rays.

Everyone should use sunscreen, but it is not recommended for babies who are less than six months old. Infant’s bodies may not be able to tolerate the chemicals in the sunscreens. Use light weight and light colored clothing for infants.

The FDA has prohibited sunscreen manufacturers from claiming that their product is “waterproof” and “lasts all day.”  The word “sunblock” is also prohibited.

Did you know…long hours on the beach or in the snow without adequate eye protection can also result in a short-term condition known as photokeratitis, or reversible sunburn of the cornea. This painful condition--also known as “snow blindness” can cause temporary loss of vision.