Summer is here; don’t get burned

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nathan W. Lipscomb
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The first day of summer is just around the corner. With many people spending extended periods of time outdoors, protection from the harmful effects of the sun can eliminate burns and more serious skin problems in the future.

The effects of sun damage can range from simple sunburns to life threatening skin cancer. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, and one American dies every hour from this disease, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. 

One of the most serious types of skin cancer is melanoma. It is also one of the fastest growing forms of cancer in the U.S. today. Many dermatologists believe there may be a link between childhood sunburns and melanoma later in life. Melanoma cases have more than doubled in the past two decades, and the rise is expected to continue. 

Nonmelanoma skin cancers are less deadly than melanomas. Nevertheless, left untreated, they can spread causing disfigurement and more serious health problems. 

Other health problems from overexposure to ultraviolet rays may include premature aging of the skin, eye damage such as cataracts and problem's with the body's immune system. 

Understanding these risks and taking a few sensible precautions will help you enjoy the sun while lowering your chances of sun-related health problems.

Here are some tips from the EPA to use as protection from harmful UV rays this summer:

· Always use sunscreen. Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protective Factor of at least 15 or higher and use a lot whenever your skin is showing. Reapply every two hours when working or playing outdoors.

· Seek shade. Staying under cover is a good way to protect yourself from the sun. Remember the shadow rule: Watch your shadow. No Shadow, Seek Shade!

· Wear a hat. A hat with a wide brim offers good sun protection to your eyes, ears, face and the back of your neck - areas particularly prone to overexposure to the sun.

· Wear sunglasses that block 99-100 percent UVA and UVB rays. This will greatly reduce sun exposure that can lead to cataracts and other eye damage. Check the label when buying sunglasses.

· Limit time in the midday sun. The sun's rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Whenever possible, limit exposure to the sun during these hours

· Avoid sunlamps and tanning parlors. The light source from sun beds and sunlamps damages the skin and unprotected eyes. It's a good idea to avoid artificial sources of UV light.

· Cover up. Wearing tightly woven, loose fitting, full-length clothing is a good way to protect your skin from the sun's UV rays.

· Eighty percent of a person's lifetime sun exposure is acquired before age 18. As a parent, be a good role model and foster skin cancer prevention habits in your child.

For more information on the effects of sun damage visit http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/