The sun is vital for life, and provides an opportunity for fun and outdoor leisure activities. Australians are lucky to enjoy sunshine most of the year, and long hours of sunshine in summer. Too much exposure to the sun however, can cause severe skin damage. The sun’s rays contain ultraviolet (UV) A rays that are linked to skin ageing and the formation of wrinkles. UV B rays in sunlight are linked to skin cancer. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.
Although sunburn is more common in summer, it can occur at any time of the year. It can occur in anyone, regardless of their skin colour. Fair-skinned people are particularly at risk because they have less melanin (the pigment that protects the skin from UV rays). Some signs and symptoms of sunburn are:
Sunburn can be caused by:
Signs of skin cancer include:
The three main types of skin cancer are melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Too much exposure to UV rays can also damage your eyes.
Sun exposure can also cause solar keratosis, a skin condition common in older people. It commonly occurs in areas of skin most exposed to the sun such as the face, hands and arms. Solar keratosis appears as red, flat, scaly, dry patches on the affected skin.
The best thing for taking care in the sun, is to avoid overexposure. If you are getting sunburnt, get out of the sun as quickly as possible. Use cool water or ice packs to cool the skin (but avoid applying ice directly to the skin). The Cancer Council Australia recommends:
How much sunscreen do you need to apply?
The Cancer Council recommends adults should use about one teaspoon (5 ml) for each area of the body such as each arm, each leg, front of body, back of body and face (including the neck and ears). This is a total of about 35 ml of sunscreen for the full body. Some people may be concerned about the nanoparticles in sunscreens, however the Cancer Council advises that sunscreens are safe to use.
Always inform pharmacy staff if you are taking any other medicines, or if you have any other health conditions. Some medicines and health conditions can make your skin more sensitive to the sun’s rays. Your pharmacist can recommend products that can soothe and provide relief for sunburn such as:
Prevention is the preferred option and pharmacies have a wide range of broad-spectrum sunscreens, and trained staff can recommend an appropriate one for you.
Health Direct: www.healthdirect.gov.au
Cancer Council Australia: www.cancer.org.au
Disclaimer: The information provided is a guide only, is current at time of publishing, and is not intended to replace the advice of your pharmacist or doctor.
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