As summer begins, beware of the sun Published June 21, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Kali L. Gradishar 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The sun can be like a human magnet. Surely there are a number of Airmen who catch themselves daydreaming on the job about sunbathing on the beaches of Lake Coeur D'Alene or going for a long walk in the fresh summer air. Surely it's a rarity for a bottle of SPF 30 to be involved anywhere in that daydream, but it should. The official beginning of summer, June 21, can conjure up ideas to buy a new bathing suit and dash to the nearest body of water for a day in the sun, or to grab a beach towel and head to the park for a summer-sun nap. As good as it may feel, our skin is probably screaming from the damage being done. Pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions, benign tumors, wrinkles, freckles, discolored skin and the dilation of blood vessels under the skin are all ways that the sun can change and harm the skin. "It is known that the effects of sun rays are cumulative, with a large percent of our lifetime sun exposure occurring before the age of 20," said Celestine Kuntz, the health and education program manager at the Health and Wellness Center. One myth about sunbathing is that getting a tan now will prevent sunburns later on. Not true. The skin is still being damaged, tan and sunburn alike. Minor sunburns are no fun, as they cause minor pain and redness. Even worse are the sunburns that penetrate deep through the skin, sometimes causing swelling and blistering. Other problems from sun exposure include heat stroke or other heat-related illness, allergic reactions to the sun or sunscreen products, vision problems, or other symptoms. Long-term problems can include premature wrinkling, brown spots, cataracts, or something as critical as skin cancer. Something else to be wary of before getting some sun is that some medications can cause photosensitivity and increase the risks of sun exposure, which include but are not limited to diuretics, ibuprofen, tetracycline, birth control pills and others, Mrs. Kuntz cautions. On the subject of sun, the best way to dodge sun damage is with prevention. How can you prevent yourself from the detriments of the sun, you may ask. Of course the simplest answer is to just stay out of the sun, but that is not always the easiest or most preferred method. Limiting sun exposure, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, tightly-woven clothing, and sunglasses, and using sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15 every day are common and successful ways of preventing increased damage to the skin. "You should apply the sunscreen on a routine basis and apply it about 30 minutes before going out in the sun," said Mrs. Kuntz. "It's also a good idea to limit sun exposure during peak sunlight hours, which are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m." If you find yourself already reddened, there are a few things that can ease the pain. Place a cool cloth on the burn, take frequent cool showers or baths, apply lotion with aloe vera, and take some aspirin. If your body is exposed to the sun and because the sun can cause so much damage to your skin, it would be a good idea to "learn to perform regular monthly self skin examinations," Mrs. Kuntz said. "Your doctor or dermatologist can help you with this and teach you what to look for." So Airmen, beware. The sun is out to get you. And though it may be hard to hide, there are some things you can do to keep yourself healthy and wrinkle-free. Keep prevention in mind and reach for the SPF before diving in. (Information from the WebMd website was used in this story)
