"Enjoying the delights of Summer!!"

How to avoid a “Roasting” this summer!

What is sun damage anyway?

Did you know Irish people are more vulnerable to sun damage because of our pale skin. Worse than that the damage happens when you are young but the trouble starts when you are older.

What causes sun damage to the skin?

It’s called UVA and UVB radiation. All UV rays are not bad. You use them in the body to activate Vitamin D, which is essential for the absorption of calcium for normal bone growth, kill certain germs and boosts our happy head. It’s overexposure that causes the damage. While UVB rays penetrate the skin and cause damage to our DNA, it also gives us wrinkles and ages us. UVB’s are the rays that cause the sunburn.

Have you ever had a “Roasting” ? Have you baked yourself in the midday sun when UVB rays are their most intense?

If so, what you are doing is burning your skin and this is a big cause of cancer. A tan is the skins natural way of protecting itself against these harmful rays. While you may think that a tan is healthy, the more you expose yourself, the more damage you inflict. You can still burn with a tan.

Signs of Sun damage
This is a brief summary of what happens when you expose yourself to sunlight

•UVB Rays - skin thickens - called Hyperkeratosis
•Production of Melanin - tanning pigment but your skin has suffered to get that tan. Sun burn appears 4 hours after exposure.
•Peeling process to remove dead skins from UV radiation
•Over time you increase your risk of cancer. You also risk wrinkles and other signs of ageing.

Have a look at “There’s something about Mary”
Magda the sun worshipper!!!!

So how can I prevent sun damage?

You don’t have to be like Magda to be at risk from the damaging effects of the sun; every one who is exposed to sun is at risk.

Here are a few things you can do to prevent sun damage;
•Wear a wide brimmed hat and T-shirt
•Wear sunglasses. Check the standard (BS 27 24 19 87 or EN 1836)
•Stay in the shade between 11am to 3pm
•Use Sunscreen or SPF 15 or higher and reapply every 2 hours. If you burn after 20mins using SPF, 15 gives you 15 times the protection, so you will be protected for 5 hours. (20mins x 15 SPF = 300mins or 5 hours) Remember your neck, ears, nose and lips.
•Reapply hourly if you are sweating a lot or swimming
•Drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol if you are in the sun.
•Remember that wind, sand or snow increases sun exposure. It is still possible to get sunburned under thin cloud cover.
•Most importantly check your skin for irregular moles**

** Signs to look for in a mole are darkening, colour change, increase in size, raggedy edges, itchiness, redness, swelling or bleeding. Scaly or crusted growths, a sore that wont heal or an area on your skin that feels rough.The earlier skin cancer is caught, the greater chance it can be cured.

What can I do if I’ve been Sun Burnt?

Here are a few tips if you’ve had a roasting !!!
•Try not to scratch or peel of loose skin as the new skin is vulnerable to infection.
•To help alleviate pain have a cool bath or apply a wet compress to the skin.
•If the burn is bad see your GP who may prescribe painkillers and a steroid cream to aid healing.
•Do not use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) as it may irritate the skin.
•Use the safety guidelines as discussed above

Every one who spends time outdoors is at risk of sun damage, especially people with fair skin, red or blonde hair, blue or green eyes and freckles. Babies under 6 months should be kept in the shade and never exposed. In Ireland from April to September, the sun is particularly damaging, so keep an eye on the sunburn forecast and follow the tips here to stay safe. If you play safe then there’s no need to hide away in the summer months, so get out there and enjoy the long warm days and have safe fun in the sun!!