Summer invites most of us to embrace outdoor activities, which means a lot of sun exposure for our skin. To have the best summer experience, whether relaxing at the beach, heading out for a bike ride, or hiking, we must understand how to stay safe in the sun as we protect our skin and health.
Why Sun Safety Matters: Understanding UV Radiation
Our bodies naturally produce vitamin D when our skin is exposed to the sun, which helps absorb calcium for healthier and stronger bones.
However, we also need protection from too much exposure to the sun. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a non-ionizing radiation produced by the sun and artificial sources, such as tanning beds.
While it gives us some benefits like Vitamin D, it can also lead to health risks. Sunburn indicates short-term overexposure, while premature aging and skin cancer are side effects of prolonged UV exposure.
The CDC added that UV exposure increases the risk of potentially blinding eye diseases if we do not use eye protection. More importantly, too much exposure to UV radiation can lead to severe health issues like skin cancer.
This illness is one of the most common kinds of cancer in America. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, over 9,500 individuals are diagnosed with skin cancer every year. However, it is also one of the most preventable cancers.
Normally, they form on the head, neck, hands, and arms because these body parts are the most exposed to the sun. The deadliest kind of skin cancer is melanoma, which is caused by UV radiation exposure.
While everyone can experience these harmful effects from UV radiation, the risks increase in individuals who spend most of their time in the sun or have been sunburned, have light-color skin, hair, and eyes, have a family member with skin cancer, and those who are more than 50 years old.
Also, for those who take oral and topical medicines, such as antibiotics, birth control pills, benzoyl peroxide products, and cosmetics. CDC mentioned that these medications may increase skin and eye sensitivity to UV in all skin types.
Sun Protection Basics: What Everyone Should Know
Sun protection is not just for summer or beach days; it is a year-round commitment to keep our skin healthy. CDC states that UV exposure can cause skin damage as little as 15 minutes, even on cloudy days.
That is why everyone must know the basics, such as
- Use of Sunscreen
Sunscreen with Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30 is recommended daily. You should apply broad-spectrum sunscreen whenever you are outdoors. You should consider buying sunscreen that protects you from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
You should apply it 15-30 minutes before sun exposure since it takes time for sunscreen to absorb into the skin. Then reapply it every two hours or after getting wet from swimming or heavy sweating.
- Look for Shady Spot
Choose a shady resting spot if you will be out for a while. You can use beach umbrellas or pop-up canopies to help kids protect themselves from the sun. You and your kids can sit in the shade to cool off and drink water while you reapply their sunscreen and send them back to enjoy the sun.
- Wear Sunglasses
UV rays can also damage your eyes. Too much sun exposure can increase the risk of problems like cataracts later in life. Wearing sunglasses protects your eyes from the sun’s rays.
Shades can also help the delicate skin around your eyes to stop you from having skin cancer and premature signs of aging.
- Avoid Indoor Tanning
CDC explains that indoor tanning is particularly harmful for younger users; those who started indoor tanning during their teenage or early adulthood have a higher risk of developing melanoma.
Heat Safety: Avoiding Dehydration and Heat Illness
As per Johns Hopkins Medicine, dehydration can be a severe heat-related disease. It also has a harmful side effect of diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Children and adults more than 60 years old are particularly prone to dehydration.
In normal cases, we lose body water daily through sweat, tears, breathing, urine, and stool. This water is replaced by drinking fluids and eating water-rich foods in a healthy individual. Dehydration occurs when a person becomes sick, such as with fever, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Moreover, it also happens if a person is overexposed to the sun and does not drink enough water. This is caused when the body loses water content and essential body salts, such as sodium and potassium.
Some of the most common symptoms of dehydration may include;
- Thirst
- Less-frequent urination
- Dry Skin
- Fatigue
- Light-headedness
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth and mucous membranes
- Increased heart rate and breathing
As for kids, some additional symptoms may include:
- Dry mouth and tongue
- No tears when crying
- No wet diapers for several hours
- Sunken abdomen, eyes, or cheeks
- Listlessness
- Irritability
- Skin that does not flatten when pinched and released.
These symptoms of dehydration may resemble other medical conditions or issues. Always consult your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Now, how can we avoid dehydration? We need to take precautionary measures such as:
- Drinking plenty of water, especially when playing in the sun.
- Try to schedule physical outdoor activities for the cooler parts of the day.
- Drink a proper sports drink to help you maintain electrolyte balance.
- Pedialyte will help babies and young children maintain electrolyte balance during illness or heat exposure. Experts advise not to make fluid and salt solutions at home for kids.
Another thing worth noting is that heat stroke is one of the most severe kinds of heat illness. It is a life-threatening emergency. It is the result of too much exposure to the sun. In this case, an individual does not sweat enough to lower their body temperature.
The senior citizens, infants, people who work outdoors, those with mental illness, obesity, poor circulation, and those on certain kinds of medicine or drinking alcohol are most prone to heat stroke.
Some of the common symptoms of heat stroke include headache, dizziness, disorientation, agitation, or confusion, fatigue, seizure, hot, dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty, high blood temperature, loss of consciousness, rapid heartbeat, and hallucinations.
These symptoms may lead to other medical conditions and issues, so always ask your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Special Considerations for Children and Older Adults
While everyone needs to take sun safety seriously, older adults need extra attention and care during the month of their unique vulnerabilities.
CDC explains that children’s skin is thinner and more sensitive than adults’, making it more prone to sunburn and long-term damage from UV exposure. According to dermatologists, sunburns in childhood significantly increase the risk of developing skin cancer, including melanoma, later in life.
As for children, you should never depend on sunscreen alone. You must consider shade, clothing, and proper timing outdoors, which protects young skin best.
Meanwhile, aging skin is normally thinner, drier, and more fragile, reducing its natural defense against UV radiation. Also, older adults often have preexisting conditions or take medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight and heat.
They must use moisturizing sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to protect and hydrate aging skin. Seniors must also avoid direct sun exposure during peak hours and wear lightweight, breathable clothing that covers the skin.
Furthermore, heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke are especially harmful for older adults, per the National Institute on Aging. You should never ignore symptoms like confusion, dizziness, dry skin, or fainting because they require immediate medical attention.
When to Visit Urgent Care for Sun-Related Issues
While many sun-related concerns can have home remedies, there are particular symptoms and situations where visiting urgent care is the safest option. Timely medical attention can prevent complications, especially in children, older adults, or individuals with underlying health conditions.
Seek urgent care if you or someone else experiences the following:
- Severe sunburn with intense pain, blistering, or swelling that covers a large portion of the body.
- Signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, such as:
- Dizziness, nausea, or vomiting
- Rapid heartbeat or shallow breathing
- Confusion, disorientation, or fainting
- Hot, dry skin or lack of sweating despite heat.
- Dehydration symptoms that do not improve after drinking fluids include extreme fatigue, dry mouth, sunken eyes, or little to no urination.
- Rash or allergic reaction after sun exposure, possibly linked to photosensitizing medication or sunscreen ingredients.
- Eye pain, blurry vision, or light sensitivity after prolonged sun exposure could indicate photokeratitis or other UV-related eye injuries.
We at Zenith Primary & Urgent Care in Marlborough, MA, can treat moderate sunburns, evaluate heat-related illness, provide IV hydration, and recommend follow-up care. Don’t wait for symptoms to get worse or don’t improve within 24-48 hours with home treatment.
Zenith Urgent Care is open seven days a week, with extended hours, and is available for walk-ins. You do not need to make an appointment.
If you need treatment for sunburn and other heat-related illnesses, contact Zenith Urgent Care.
Everyday Habits for Long-Term Sun Safety
Protecting your skin from the sun should be part of your daily routine, not just on sunny days. These simple habits can help reduce your risk of sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer.
- Use SPF 30+ sunscreen daily.
- Wear protective clothing
- Check the UV index
- Stay in the shade
- Stay hydrated
- Watch for changes in your skin
These small habits can go a long way toward keeping your skin healthy.
