Protect Yourself From the Power of the Sun

You also need to take steps to protect your eyes. Skin cancer can occur on the eyelids, and studies have linked cataracts to sun exposure. Other reports indicated over exposure to sunlight can be harmful to the retina. Wear the best quality sunglasses, ones that block at least 95% of ultraviolet rays. This information can be found on the glasses or a tag on the glasses. If you can't find it there, ask the salesperson for the information or check with the manufacturer.

When you're in the water

When swimming, reapply sunscreen every 30 minutes, even on cloudy days, since 80 percent of ultraviolet rays break through the clouds. Since the sun's rays are strongest between 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., you may want to limit exposure during that time of day.

Some medications, including some antibiotics, antidepressants, diuretics and high blood pressure medications, can make you more sensitive to the effects of the sun. Ask your pharmacist whether any medications you are taking could cause a reaction. For some people eating certain foods, such as celery, figs, parsnips, vanilla, lime and other citrus fruits, can effect their tolerance to the sun significantly.

If you do get a sunburn

If, in spite of your best efforts, you or your child does get a sunburn, here are a few things that may help.
1. Take a cool to warm bath. Add two ounces of baking soda or oatmeal powder to a tubful of water. Apply cool compresses several times a day.
2. Drink a lot of fluids to replace fluids lost in the swollen skin.
3. Ibuprofen can help with discomfort.
4. Nonprescription 1% hydrocortisone cream or moisturizing cream may reduce swelling and pain. These creams only work if they are applied when the burn first appears. They also may be effective in the later stages of a sunburn when itching occurs.

What NOT to do when treating a sunburn

1. Don't apply petroleum jelly or butter to the burn. This prevents heat and sweat from escaping and may be painful to remove.
   
2. Don't use sprays or creams containing benzocaine. It may cause allergic rash.

Looking for more info?

For more information on sun-related issues or sun damage, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345, or on the Web at www.cancer.org.

The weatherman has just predicted a beautiful sunny day, but before you run out the door to enjoy a wonderful day on the water, consider this.

Being afloat, with the sun glistening off the water is one of the joys of boating, but it's also one of the easiest ways to get a really bad sunburn. The reflection of the sun off the water significantly increases the effects of sun damage to skin and eyes.

Sun damage is the major cause of skin cancer, the most common cancer. Sun exposure is also responsible for most of the skin problems we associate with aging, for example wrinkles, brown spots and loss of elasticity of the skin.

The time to start protecting your family from the sun is now

Statistics show that people receive 80 percent of their lifetime sun exposure in the first twenty years of life. Babies less than six months old should be protected by a wide brimmed hat and lightweight long clothing that covers their arms and legs. From six months up, every member of your family should wear a high SPF sunscreen whenever they are out in the sun.

Prevent further damage

Although you can not undo the damage that has already been done, you can start protecting yourself and prevent further damage from occurring. First, apply the highest SPF waterproof sunscreen possible, preferably SPF 30 or 45. Don't use a sunscreen with an SPF of less than 15, and don't skimp when applying it.

It takes approximately one ounce of sunscreen to effectively cover the average person. Apply lotion at least fifteen minutes before you go out, making sure you apply plenty of sunscreen to high-risk areas such as scalp, shoulders, ears, lips, back of the hands, back of knees, feet, toes, and any area that might be overlooked.

The lips contain very little pigment to protect them from the effects of the sun. Use a lipscreen or lip block to protect them.

Keep in mind that if the clothes are sheer enough to see through or if they are wet, the sun's rays can penetrate them and you can get burned.