Be safe, have fun in the summer sun

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Michelle Humann
  • 5th Bomb Wing Ground Safety
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Being outside on a warm, sunny day is one of life's great pleasures. The sun generates light which is the fuel that plants use for photosynthesis. This is the process by which plants create their energy. We, in turn, depend on plants for the food we eat and the oxygen we breathe. The sun's infrared rays keep us warm and its visible light is what we use to see by, but getting too much sun can be dangerous.

The sun, however, is also very important to our health. It provides us with vitamin D (which we need for our bones), and it can lift our spirits. In fact, there's a form of depression called seasonal affective disorder (or SAD) that can happen when there's more darkness than daylight - sufferers feel "down" during the winter and much better when summer comes.

Along with visible light and infrared, ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is generated, which is useful, but at the same time it can be very dangerous to us. Excessive sun exposure can result in painful sunburn, but can also lead to other serious health problems. It is the cause of most skin cancers, many cataracts and 90% of the changes we see in our skin as we get older.

UVR is divided into 3 different bands: UVA, UVB, and UVC. Virtually all of UVC is filtered out by our atmosphere, so that none actually reaches the earth's surface. UVB and UVA both reach the earth in significant amounts. UVB is stronger than UVA having a greater ability to cause skin damage. There is about 100 times as much UVA as UVB. Despite UVA being weaker, it's still dangerous!

Sunburn is caused by overexposure to Ultraviolet radiation, mostly UVB. During a sunburn the skin turns red, swells and, in severe cases, blisters. A sunburn continues to develop for 12 to 24 hours after exposure.

If, despite being careful, one still gets burned, they should treat skin as any other kind of burn:

· Apply cool, wet compresses for 24 to 48 hours.
· Don't apply skin creams within the first two days.
· Drink a lot of water to keep from feeling dehydrated.

Really severe burns, the kind that produce blisters, are often treated in clinics with dressings. If one is not sure if the burn is severe, have it checked. Severe sunburn can cause chills and fever and consulting a doctor would be wise. Keep sunburned areas out of the sun until the redness is gone.

The goal is to have fun outside but stay safe at the same time. Here are some basic rules:

Cover up whenever possible. A longer cotton skirt, for example, might feel cooler on a hot day than a pair of shorts, and will help guard from the sun.

Babies under six months old should be kept out of the sun completely. They're too young for sunscreen, but their delicate skin can burn easily, so keep the baby in the shade and covered as much as possible.

Wear a hat. Hats keep the sun's rays off the scalp, face, and back of the neck, prime areas for skin cancer. A good hat will also shelter and protect eyes from the sun's powerful rays. Sunglasses are also a good idea.

Use sunscreen whenever outside, even if the sun doesn't seem particularly strong. Damaging ultraviolet rays can penetrate through clouds, so don't take a chance. Always apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15. Be sure to follow the directions closely and reapply the sunscreen on a regular basis throughout the day, especially after swimming or perspiring (about every two hours).

Avoid the sun when it's at its peak. It's strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so use that time to do activities indoors if possible. Stay in the shade if possible.

The number of skin cancer cases has been rising over the years, and experts say that this is due to increasing exposure to UV radiation from the sun, tanning beds, and sun lamps. More than 1 million new skin cancer cases are likely to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year. Malignant melanoma, now with a suspected link to UVA exposure, is often fatal, if not detected early. The number of cases of melanoma is rising in the U.S., with an estimated 38,300 cases and 7,300 deaths anticipated this year.

Remember that children's skin is even more sensitive than adults. They can start wearing sunscreen by the time they are six months old. Even so, minimize their exposure.

Watch for the UV Index. The UV Index, developed by the National Weather Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, provides a forecast of the expected risk of overexposure to the sun and indicates the degree of caution one should take when working, playing, or exercising outdoors. The UV Index predicts exposure levels on a 0 to 10+ scale, where 0 indicates a low risk and 10+ means a very high risk of overexposure to the sun.

Remember, if we take care of our skin and it will take care of us as well.