Keep Sunburn At Bay

Long, sunny days mean more time to play outside, swim, fish, and work in the yard. But spending time in the sun isn’t all fun and games.

Too much sun exposure often results in sunburn, which is literally a burn on your skin, and, “it’s the least avoided burn because people don’t realize the risk,” says Dr. David Markenson, chair of the Red Cross Advisory Council on First Aid and Safety. “People wouldn’t touch a flame, but on sunny day, they often don’t protect their skin.” They also don’t realize you can get sunburn while inside. Windows generally don’t filter out ultraviolet (UV) light, which causes sunburn.

The good news is that there are very simple measures you can take to reduce the chance getting a burn, according to Dr. Markenson:

• Apply sunscreen with at least SPF-30 or higher to all exposed areas of the body.
• Wear a hat to shade your face and protect your head—the sun’s rays can get between your hair and burn your scalp.
• Make sure your sunglasses have UV protection since eyes are quite susceptible to burns.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours—on cloudy days, too—and especially after swimming or perspiring, even if the sunblock is waterproof.
• Minimize your exposure to the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun is strongest.

Remember, too much sun exposure not only can result in sunburn—it can also lead to skin cancer. A lot of people don’t know that you don’t have to get a sunburn to get skin cancer. You put yourself at risk simply by spending time in the sun without protecting yourself.

Stock up on sunblock, pull out your favorite hat, and upgrade your eyewear to make sure it has UV protection. The sun is now yours to enjoy.

Dr. David Markenson is the chair of the Advisory Council for First Aid & Aquatic Safety at the Red Cross and chief of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, Westchester, NY.