UVSafe.caSun

UVInfo

What is the difference between UVA and UVB?
The Sun emits ultraviolet radiation in the UVA, UVB, and UVC bands, but because of absorption in the atmosphere's ozone layer, 98.7% of the ultraviolet radiation that reaches the Earth's surface is UVA. UVA and UVB refer to different wavelengths in the light spectrum. UVB is more damaging to the skin especially for skin cancer. Both UVA and UVB are responsible for photoaging (premature aging of the skin and wrinkles) and sunburn. Tanning beds produce both UVA and UVB rays.

Harmful Effects
An overexposure to UVB radiation can cause sunburn and some forms of skin cancer. In humans, prolonged exposure to solar UV radiation may result in acute and chronic health effects on the skin, eye, and immune system.[9] However the most deadly form - malignant melanoma - is mostly caused by the indirect DNA damage (free radicals and oxidative stress). This can be seen from the absence of a UV-signature mutation in 92% of all melanoma.

What is sunburn?
Sunburn is literally a burn on your skin. It is a burn from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The consequence of this burn is inflammation of the skin. Injury can start within 30 minutes of exposure.

Sunburn symptoms
Mild and uncomplicated cases of sunburn usually result in minor skin redness and irritation. Untreated and with enough exposure, you can experience shock (poor circulation to vital organs) and even death (sun poisoning). Sufficient exposure can become remarkably painful.
Initially, your skin turns red about 2-6 hours after exposure and feels irritated. The peak effects are noted at 12-24 hours.
More severe cases  (sun poisoning), such as those experienced by rafters (Cuban and other island peoples fleeing their countries on homemade rafts) are complicated by severe skin burning and blistering, massive fluid loss (dehydration), electrolyte imbalance, and infection. Blistering - May range from a very fine blister that is only found when you begin to "peel" to very large water-filled blisters with red, tender, raw skin underneath  

How to treat sunburn

  1. For mild sunburn, cool compresses with equal parts of milk and water may suffice. You may also use cold compresses with Burow solution. You can buy this at a drugstore. Dissolve 1 packet in 1 pint of water. Soak gauze or a soft clean cloth in it. Gently wring out the cloth and apply to the sunburned area for 15-20 minutes. Change or refresh the cloth and solution every 2-3 hours.
  2. Aloe is a very good lotion for soothing the skin, and in today’s market there are numerous products that contain aloe. Cool (not ice cold) baths may help.
  3. Avoid bath salts, oils, and perfumes because these may produce sensitivity reactions.
  4. Avoid scrubbing the skin or shaving the skin. Use soft towels to gently dry yourself. Don't rub. Use a light, fragrance-free skin moisturizer.
  5. Avoid lotions that contain topical anesthetic medications because you can become sensitized and then allergic to that medicine. Stay out of the sun while you are nursing a sunburn.
  6. In severe cases, Silver sulfadiazine (1% cream, Thermazene) can be used for treatment of sunburn with appropriate cautions about use on the face. If your case is mild and not life threatening, the doctor may simply suggest plenty of fluids, aspirin, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs).
  7. Additional topical measures such as cool compresses, Burow solution soaks, or high-quality moisturizing creams and lotions may be prescribed.
  8. If your case is severe enough, oral steroid therapy (cortisonelike medications) may be prescribed for several days. Steroid creams placed on the skin show minimal to no benefit. Stronger pain-relieving medication may be prescribed in certain cases. If you have blistering, steroids may be withheld to avoid an increased risk of infection.
  9. If you are dehydrated or suffering from heat stress, IV fluids will be given, and you may be admitted to the hospital. People with very severe cases may be transferred to the hospital's burn unit.

What is SPF?
SPF is an acronym for Sun Protection Factor. The SPF of a sunscreen is a laboratory measure of the effectiveness of sunscreen — the higher the SPF, the more protection a sunscreen offers against UV-B (the ultraviolet radiation that causes sunburn). The SPF indicates the amount of UVB radiation that can reach your skin before the skin burns. The SPF does not indicate the amount of time a person can stay in sun exposure. In practice, the protection from a particular sunscreen depends on factors such as:

    • The skin type of the user.
    • The amount applied and frequency of re-application.
    • Activities in which one engages (for example, swimming leads to a loss of sunscreen from the skin).
    • Amount of sunscreen the skin has absorbed.

    How to protect yourself from UVA and UVB
    The best prevention is to avoid the sun whenever possible, especially during the peak time of day (from 10:30 am – 3:00 pm). Sometimes this is obviously unavoidable, so the following measures should be taken whenever possible:

    1. Wear long-sleeve shirts and pants, along with a wide-brim hat.
    2. Use varying levels of sunscreen on the exposed parts of your body depending on the time of day, and length of exposure.

    Who is at the highest risk?
    People that travel to or live in the southern United States, regions close to the equator, and places at high altitudes all offer the unwary visitor an opportunity to be injured by sunburn. Certain light-skinned and fair-haired people are at greater risk of sunburn injury.

    How do I check myself?

    1. Mark your calendar. Plan to give yourself a skin exam once a month, in addition to your annual check-up with a doctor who can inspect your skin and answer any questions you may have.
    2. Know your cancers. It is very important that you learn your cancers before you panic about something such as a bruise or birthmark.

    Basal cell cancer. Most often found in areas that get exposed to a lot of sun, such as the head, neck, and arms; flat, firm, pale areas; small, raised, pink or red, translucent, shiny, waxy, "pearly" areas; may bleed after minor injury; may have one or more abnormal blood vessels, a lower area in their center, and/or blue, brown, or black areas; larger areas could be oozing or crusting; small blood vessels may be seen;
    Squamous cell cancer. Most often found in areas that get exposed to a lot of sun, such as the head, neck, and arms; lumps with rough, scaly, or crusted surface; flat reddish patches that grow slowly; sometimes accompanied by ulceration or bleeding

      1. Actinic keratosis. Small (less than 1/4 inch) rough spots; pink-red or flesh-colored; usually on the face, ears, back of the hands, and arms;

    Melanomas. Look for changes in size, shape, or color of a mole or the appearance of a new spot during adulthood. Use the "ABCD rule".

        1. A - Asymmetry, one half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other.
        2. B - Border is irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
        3. C - Color varies (brown, black, red, white blue).
        4. D - Diameter is larger than 6 millimeters across (about 1/4 inch -- the size of a pencil eraser).
    1. Become familiar with warning signs. Not all skin cancer cases exhibit classic symptoms as described in the previous step. Look out for the following, as well:
      1. Any new growths, spots, bumps, patches, or sores that don't heal after 2 to 3 months
      2. Spread of pigment from the border of a spot to surrounding skin
      3. Redness or a new swelling beyond the border
      4. Change in sensation -- itchiness, tenderness, or pain
      5. Change in the surface of a mole -- scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or the appearance of a bump or nodule
    2. Stand in front of a full-length mirror. Skin cancer can form anywhere on your body so it is very important that you perform a very thorough self exam. Use a wall mirror to give yourself a better view of your skin. You should also have a hand-held mirror and, if possible, a spouse or close friend to help you check out areas like your lower back or the backs of your thighs.

    Examine your entire body. - It can be helpful to have a list in front of you. Don't skip any of these steps as you perform your self-exam:

      1. Check your face, lips, ears, behind your ears, and eyes. Use a flashlight to check the inside of your mouth.
      2. Check your neck, shoulders, belly and chest. You may need to lift your breasts or any excess skin so you can check  

     the skin underneath.

      1. Check your underarms, arms, hands, between your fingers, and fingernail beds.
      2. Using a hand mirror check your buttocks, genitals, lower back, upper back, and the back of your neck. Face your

     backside to the large mirror and use your hand held mirror to see your reflection.

      1. Check your legs, ankles, feet, toes, toenail beds and between your toes. You can check your front while sitting down,   

     but you will need to use a hand held mirror to see the bottoms of your feet, your calves, and the backs of your  
    thighs.

      1. Part your hair and check your scalp.
      • Seek medical attention - If you find anything that you think might resemble skin cancer, seek medical attention immediately. Consider calling your local clinic and making an appointment for the next day. When skin cancer is concerned, it's always better to be safe than sorry.