Summer Sun Care

Everyone enjoys being in the sun - it not only makes everything look better, it makes you feel good too. However, how the skin reacts to the sun varies from one individual to another. It is important to remember that the ultra-violet (UV) rays in sunlight can damage the cells in your body, which can cause premature ageing and wrinkling of the skin at the very best and melanoma - skin cancer - at the worst.

The number of skin cancer cases has doubled in the last twenty years, making it the most common form of cancer in the UK today. This is mainly due to more holidays away in the sun and the fact that many of us are unaware of just how much damage the sun can do to our skin. It is not just your skin that can suffer when you are out in the sun all day, however. Sunstroke and heatstroke are both common complaints when you go on holiday and find yourself in an environment that is far hotter than you are normally used to.

Sunburn
There are two types of UV radiation that can cause damage to our skin - UVA and UVB. UVA radiation penetrates deeply into our skin and can cause the skin to age, wrinkle and sag. UVB radiation can sometimes be more dangerous than UVA as it affects the cells just below the surface of the skin. In just 15 minutes, UVB rays can make the skin red and inflamed - commonly known as sunburn.

Enjoying the sun safely
There are a number of steps you can take to enjoy the sun and reduce the chances of damage from UV radiation

• Avoid midday sun (between 11am and 3 pm)
• Seek shade
• Use clothing as a sunscreen including T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts and wide-brimmed hats
• Use broad-spectrum (UVA AND UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.

Using sunscreen properly

• Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going into the sun
• Apply to clean, dry skin and rub in lightly
• Use generous amounts
• Re-apply every two hours or more frequently if washed, rubbed or sweated off
• Put on before make-up, moisturiser, and/or insect repellent
• Never use it to spend longer in the sun - this will put you at risk of sun damage

The Sun and Your Children
Children love playing in the open air and sunlight. It is an unfortunate fact, however, that excessive sun exposure and sunburn when aged under 15 is a major risk factor for skin cancer in later life. Protecting the skin of babies, children and adolescents is therefore vital. Here are a few additional points for children:

• Babies have extremely delicate skin that burns very easily. They should therefore always wear a hat and a loose, long, sleeved shirt to protect them from radiation. You should never leave your baby in the sun.
• Make sure your children are wearing sun protection before they go outside, as it takes up to 30 minutes for sunscreen to start working.
• Make sure your children's eyes are protected by ensuring that they wear wrap-around sunglasses that give 100% protection from UV rays.
• Use a waterproof or water-resistant sunscreen and reapply it every two hours if your children are playing in the water.
• Make sure to cover all the exposed areas of your child's skin with sunscreen, especially the face, nose, ears, feet, and hands. Do not forget the backs of the knees and behind the ears.
• Special attention should be paid when children are playing near sand and water, since these surfaces can reflect up to 50 percent of the sun's damaging rays. Snow and concrete (such as in playgrounds) can also reflect sun's rays.
• Teach your children to apply sunscreen as part of their daily routine.
• Many of the sun's rays pass through clouds on overcast days, so use sun protection even on cloudy days.
• Ideally you should ensure your child's skin is covered up when in the sun.
• Dress them in baggy, close-weave and 'cool' cotton clothing. Oversized tee shirts are good for covering most of their skin, in addition to sunscreen. If you're going on holidays, don't forget to bring your child's favourite t-shirt - it makes it easier for you to convince them to wear it in the sun!
• Encourage your child to wear a hat with a brim. The wider the brim the more skin will be shaded from the sun.

After Sun
A day in the sun can leave you with a golden tan - a sign of health and wellbeing in many cultures. In reality, a tan actually signifies that your skin has been damaged by UV radiation. It is important, therefore, that you moisturise your skin thoroughly after a day in the sun. There are many 'after-sun' moisturising products on the market that soothe sun damaged skin and replace vital moisture and minerals that may have been lost during the tanning process. It is a good idea to buy them at the same time as you buy your sun screen - ask your pharmacist for advice.

Skin Cancer
According to a study by the Consumer Health Information Centre, 50 per cent of people will tolerate a high degree of pain from sunburn before treating the condition: this is worrying as repeated sunburn can predispose people to skin cancer. One of the most serious forms of skin cancer is called malignant melanoma. Malignant melanoma occurs when UV damage occurs in the melanocytes - the pigment producing cells in the skin that react to sunlight. Melanocytes produce a substance (known as melanin), which makes your skin darker when you stay in the sun. It is this substance, which causes the melanoma to appear in varied shades of tan, brown and black. Usually, it begins in or around moles or other dark spots in the skin. This damage can happen years before the cancer develops. The best way to avoid malignant melanoma skin cancer is to avoid over-exposure to the sun and other sources of UV light.

Know Your Marks
If caught early, skin cancer can almost always be cured; left to its own devices it can prove fatal. This is why it is vital to check yourself regularly for new growths or changes in the skin. Any suspicious spots or changes in the skin should be reported to your GP immediately.

Keeping cool
Sometimes the heat can be too much for us to bear. When it is this hot, try to stay indoors in air-conditioned areas when possible. If you must go outside, take these precautions:

• Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes.
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat or using an umbrella. Don't forget the sunscreen!
• Drink plenty of water before starting an outdoor activity. Drink extra water all day. Drink less tea, coffee, cola and alcoholic beverages.
• Schedule vigorous outdoor activities for cooler times of the day - before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
• During an outdoor activity, take frequent breaks and drink water or other fluids every 15 to 20 minutes, even if you don't feel thirsty. If you have clear, pale urine, you are probably drinking enough fluids.
• If you have a chronic medical problem, ask your doctor about how to deal with the heat and about drinking extra fluids and about your medicines.

Heat-related illness
As the air temperature rises, your body stays cool due to your sweat evaporating. Heat-related illnesses, such as "heatstroke" and "sunstroke", occur when your body can't keep itself cool - that is, when sweating isn't enough to cool your body and your body temperature rises above a healthy level.

Headache, dizziness, muscle weakness, cramps and nausea and vomiting are all signs of you having developed some form of heat related illness. If you display any of these symptoms, go to a shady, cooler area right away. Remove any excess clothing and begin sponging your body with lukewarm tap water. Slowly sip water or other fluids. Get medical help right away if you have these warning signs:

• Hot, dry skin, but not sweaty
• Confusion or loss of consciousness
• Frequent vomiting
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing.

Remember - sunburn has many more far-reaching effects beyond peeling and red skin. It can lead to seriously debilitating skin conditions and, in some cases, can eventually lead to cancer. So, next time you know you're going to be in the sun, don't forget to play it safe!

Relevant Links

• Summer ailments factsheets