DARLINGTON - At one time, we considered tanned skin healthy. We were told to "get some sun," and that children who were pale spent too much time indoors. We believed the sun's rays were healthy.
But we were wrong. As we now know, nothing is more likely to cause skin cancer, brown spots, and premature wrinkling and aging later in life. A tan can look healthy, but it is actually a sign of injury to the skin and is the skin's way of trying to protect itself from further damage.
At one time, a few minutes of direct sunshine was crucial to healthy growth during childhood. That was because it was the only available source of Vitamin D, which is needed for strong bones. Today, infant formula, milk, and many other dairy products are fortified with Vitamin D.
Excessive exposure to the sun's rays has been linked to cataracts and has found to reduce body levels of carotene (a substance in the body that is believed to protect against cancer). Excessive sun exposure can also precipitate other diseases or make them worse, such as herpes simplex, some other viral skin diseases, etc.
To avoid problems associated with long-term sun exposure, consider the following sun safety tips:
• The sun's rays are most dangerous between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., as this is the time when the rays are the most intense. Try to avoid exposure during theses times.
• Eighty percent of the sun's radiation penetrates cloud cover, so protection is needed on hot cloudy days as well as clear days.
• Water and sand reflect the sun's rays, increasing the risk for damage and the need for protection.
• Wet skin allows more ultraviolet rays to penetrate than dry skin, so extra protection is needed in the water.
• Shade of trees and umbrellas are not always reliable protection against the sun's rays.
• Extreme heat, wind, and high altitude accentuate the dangers of the sun's rays.
• Infants and young children are particularly sensitive to sunburn because of their thin skin.
• A single episode of severe sunburn during infancy or childhood doubles the risk of the most deadly of skin cancers, malignant melanoma.
• Tanning without burning during the early years has been linked to basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, the most common types of skin cancer as well as premature aging of the skin.
• The sun is believed to be responsible for at least 90 percent of all skin cancers, most of which could have been prevented.
• Fair skinned individuals with light eyes and hair are more susceptible, but no one is immune to the hazardous effects of the sun's rays. Fair skinned person's skin cells have less melanin, the pigment that helps prevent burning. Farmers, construction workers, those who enjoy boating and other outdoor sports are often exposed more.
• There is no such thing as a safe tan. A base tan does not protect the skin from further damage.
• The nose, lips, and ears are the parts of the body that are most susceptible to sum damage
• When you are out in the sun, wear a wide-brimmed hat, a long sleeved shirt, and pants. Keep your neck covered.
• If you are out in the sun, use a sunscreen. Sunscreens are labeled with a sun protection factor or SPF, from 2 to 30 of sometimes as high as 50. The higher the number, the greater the protection. A SPF of at least 15 is recommended for babies and children, though 30 is best for those with very fair of sensitive skin. Do not use tanning products on children - they do not protect at all.
• Look for a product that screens out both the short ultraviolet (UBV) rays of the sun that burn and can cause cancer as well as the longer ultraviolet (UVA) rays that tan and can cause long term skin damage and enhance the cancer causing effects of the UBV rays. Even with sunscreen, exposure to the sun should be limited.
• Some ingredients such as fragrances and colorings and "PABA" can be irritating to the skin or cause allergic reactions. Products can be patched tested by applying a small amount on the inner forearm and covering with a Band-Aid overnight. If the patch reddens or swells when exposed to a few minutes of sunlight, try a different product, perhaps one that is hypoallergenic.
• If you are going in the water select a product that is waterproof. Waterproof means that it will retain its effectiveness after four twenty-minute dunkings. Water-resistant means it will retain its effectiveness after two 20-minute dunkings.
See your doctor if you notice any of the following changes in your skin:
• A mole changes size, shape or color.
• Unusual growth of the skin.
• Change in the color of the skin in spots.
• A sore that won't heal.
Summer is a great time in Wisconsin ... have fun but be safe and smart in the summer sun. Call your doctor or the Lafayette County Health Department at (608) 776-4895 with any questions.
But we were wrong. As we now know, nothing is more likely to cause skin cancer, brown spots, and premature wrinkling and aging later in life. A tan can look healthy, but it is actually a sign of injury to the skin and is the skin's way of trying to protect itself from further damage.
At one time, a few minutes of direct sunshine was crucial to healthy growth during childhood. That was because it was the only available source of Vitamin D, which is needed for strong bones. Today, infant formula, milk, and many other dairy products are fortified with Vitamin D.
Excessive exposure to the sun's rays has been linked to cataracts and has found to reduce body levels of carotene (a substance in the body that is believed to protect against cancer). Excessive sun exposure can also precipitate other diseases or make them worse, such as herpes simplex, some other viral skin diseases, etc.
To avoid problems associated with long-term sun exposure, consider the following sun safety tips:
• The sun's rays are most dangerous between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., as this is the time when the rays are the most intense. Try to avoid exposure during theses times.
• Eighty percent of the sun's radiation penetrates cloud cover, so protection is needed on hot cloudy days as well as clear days.
• Water and sand reflect the sun's rays, increasing the risk for damage and the need for protection.
• Wet skin allows more ultraviolet rays to penetrate than dry skin, so extra protection is needed in the water.
• Shade of trees and umbrellas are not always reliable protection against the sun's rays.
• Extreme heat, wind, and high altitude accentuate the dangers of the sun's rays.
• Infants and young children are particularly sensitive to sunburn because of their thin skin.
• A single episode of severe sunburn during infancy or childhood doubles the risk of the most deadly of skin cancers, malignant melanoma.
• Tanning without burning during the early years has been linked to basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, the most common types of skin cancer as well as premature aging of the skin.
• The sun is believed to be responsible for at least 90 percent of all skin cancers, most of which could have been prevented.
• Fair skinned individuals with light eyes and hair are more susceptible, but no one is immune to the hazardous effects of the sun's rays. Fair skinned person's skin cells have less melanin, the pigment that helps prevent burning. Farmers, construction workers, those who enjoy boating and other outdoor sports are often exposed more.
• There is no such thing as a safe tan. A base tan does not protect the skin from further damage.
• The nose, lips, and ears are the parts of the body that are most susceptible to sum damage
• When you are out in the sun, wear a wide-brimmed hat, a long sleeved shirt, and pants. Keep your neck covered.
• If you are out in the sun, use a sunscreen. Sunscreens are labeled with a sun protection factor or SPF, from 2 to 30 of sometimes as high as 50. The higher the number, the greater the protection. A SPF of at least 15 is recommended for babies and children, though 30 is best for those with very fair of sensitive skin. Do not use tanning products on children - they do not protect at all.
• Look for a product that screens out both the short ultraviolet (UBV) rays of the sun that burn and can cause cancer as well as the longer ultraviolet (UVA) rays that tan and can cause long term skin damage and enhance the cancer causing effects of the UBV rays. Even with sunscreen, exposure to the sun should be limited.
• Some ingredients such as fragrances and colorings and "PABA" can be irritating to the skin or cause allergic reactions. Products can be patched tested by applying a small amount on the inner forearm and covering with a Band-Aid overnight. If the patch reddens or swells when exposed to a few minutes of sunlight, try a different product, perhaps one that is hypoallergenic.
• If you are going in the water select a product that is waterproof. Waterproof means that it will retain its effectiveness after four twenty-minute dunkings. Water-resistant means it will retain its effectiveness after two 20-minute dunkings.
See your doctor if you notice any of the following changes in your skin:
• A mole changes size, shape or color.
• Unusual growth of the skin.
• Change in the color of the skin in spots.
• A sore that won't heal.
Summer is a great time in Wisconsin ... have fun but be safe and smart in the summer sun. Call your doctor or the Lafayette County Health Department at (608) 776-4895 with any questions.