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Sun can do more than burn you
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| Destiny Solberg of Hemingford applies sunscreen to her son, Bayden, and his friend, Denym McCormick of Alliance, as they prepare to go swimming at the Hemingford City Pool. Photo by Tonya Wieser |
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Protect exposed flesh to lessen damage, reduce skin cancer risk
By TONYA WIESER, Staff Reporter
With summer’s heat finally beaming down on us, experts again warn about the dangers of sun exposure.
Box Butte General Hospital Director of Special Services Mary Mockerman said there’s a misconception that only sunburned areas are at risk for skin cancer. She said ultraviolet A (UVA) rays don’t burn but cause long-term damage to the skin.
Along with cancer, pre-mature aging of the skin is one of the major concerns associated with overexposure to the sun. She said that as a person’s skin begins to age, which starts at 17, too much sun not only accelerates that process but also puts people at higher risk for skin cancer.
Mockerman said it is important that people keep an eye on their bodies and be aware of moles or other changes on their skin. In addition, those with a family history of skin cancer are at a higher risk, she added.
Also, certain medications, such as antibiotics and anti-depressants, can cause people to burn much more easily.
Mockerman recommends sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPV) of 50 because it blocks up to 98 percent of the ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. It should be re-applied every 30 minutes. Studies have shown that nothing protects 100 percent. That’s why she also suggests that people who spend time outdoors use additional protection such as hats and sunglasses.
“And infants under 1 year of age should be kept out of the direct sunlight,” Mockerman said.
“There are certain products designed for infants and a small amount of sunscreen is acceptable. It is best to keep them unexposed, but if that’s not possible then they should be kept covered.”
Another misconception is that insect repellents with sunscreen offer enough protection. However, most insect repellents contain DEET and should be applied only once a day.
“But sunscreen needs to be re-applied several times throughout the day, so they tend to reapply more than the recommended dose and one can overdose on DEET,” Mockerman said. “People should purchase and use two separate products, sunscreen and insect repellent.”
University of Nebraska-Lincoln nursing student Megan O’Dell is serving a summer internship at Box Butte General Hospital and said her latest research shows that when people wear T-shirts over their bathing suits they tend to wear white, which offers less sun protection.
“Most pools don’t allow colored T-shirts because of the dye and people think the lighter color will be cooler,” O’Dell said. “However, they should not wear white because when it gets wet it is transparent.”
A new product is available called SunGuard. O’Dell said the product, applied while laundering, transforms everyday clothing into sun-protective gear helping block more than 96 percent of the sun’s harmful rays from reaching the skin.
PPHD community organizer and health educator Janelle Hansen said pool managers stress the importance of not only wearing sunscreen but the importance of reapplying it during the day. Lifeguards serve as role models and it is important that they set an example for swimmers, she added.
“Even one severe sunburn in childhood or adolescence can double the risk of developing skin cancer later in life,” Hansen said.
Box Butte General Hospital Director of Special Services Mary Mockerman said there’s a misconception that only sunburned areas are at risk for skin cancer. She said ultraviolet A (UVA) rays don’t burn but cause long-term damage to the skin.
Along with cancer, pre-mature aging of the skin is one of the major concerns associated with overexposure to the sun. She said that as a person’s skin begins to age, which starts at 17, too much sun not only accelerates that process but also puts people at higher risk for skin cancer.
Mockerman said it is important that people keep an eye on their bodies and be aware of moles or other changes on their skin. In addition, those with a family history of skin cancer are at a higher risk, she added.
Also, certain medications, such as antibiotics and anti-depressants, can cause people to burn much more easily.
Mockerman recommends sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPV) of 50 because it blocks up to 98 percent of the ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. It should be re-applied every 30 minutes. Studies have shown that nothing protects 100 percent. That’s why she also suggests that people who spend time outdoors use additional protection such as hats and sunglasses.
“And infants under 1 year of age should be kept out of the direct sunlight,” Mockerman said.
“There are certain products designed for infants and a small amount of sunscreen is acceptable. It is best to keep them unexposed, but if that’s not possible then they should be kept covered.”
Another misconception is that insect repellents with sunscreen offer enough protection. However, most insect repellents contain DEET and should be applied only once a day.
“But sunscreen needs to be re-applied several times throughout the day, so they tend to reapply more than the recommended dose and one can overdose on DEET,” Mockerman said. “People should purchase and use two separate products, sunscreen and insect repellent.”
University of Nebraska-Lincoln nursing student Megan O’Dell is serving a summer internship at Box Butte General Hospital and said her latest research shows that when people wear T-shirts over their bathing suits they tend to wear white, which offers less sun protection.
“Most pools don’t allow colored T-shirts because of the dye and people think the lighter color will be cooler,” O’Dell said. “However, they should not wear white because when it gets wet it is transparent.”
A new product is available called SunGuard. O’Dell said the product, applied while laundering, transforms everyday clothing into sun-protective gear helping block more than 96 percent of the sun’s harmful rays from reaching the skin.
PPHD community organizer and health educator Janelle Hansen said pool managers stress the importance of not only wearing sunscreen but the importance of reapplying it during the day. Lifeguards serve as role models and it is important that they set an example for swimmers, she added.
“Even one severe sunburn in childhood or adolescence can double the risk of developing skin cancer later in life,” Hansen said.
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