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Up to 80 percent of all lifetime sun exposure occurs before 18 years of age. It takes between 10 and 20 years for the damage to your skin to develop as a result of exposure to the sun before 18 years of age.
REPEATED SUN EXPOSURE WITH SUNBURN OR SUNTAN CAUSES: - wrinkled, saggy, and leathery skin
- brown sunspots
- cataracts and other eye problems and
- skin cancer
The sun's rays are harmful anytime during the entire year, not just during the summer months. Minor sunburn turns the skin pink or red. Symptoms do not begin until 2 to 4 hours after exposure. Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause blistering, which indicates a second-degree burn. FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES TO EASE THE DISCOMFORT OF SUNBURN: - Minimise pain by taking cool baths or putting cold wet cloths on the burned area several times a day. Showers may be too painful.
- Drink lots of extra water to replace fluid loss and to prevent dehydration and dizziness.
- Avoid any beverages, which contain alcohol, such as beer, wines, and "hard" alcoholic drinks.
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen taken regularly for 2-3 days can reduce swelling and discomfort.
- Apply over-the-counter 1/2 percent hydrocortisone ointments or moisturising creams 3 times a day for 2 days to reduce swelling and pain. Do not apply creams that dry out the skin.
- Creams or sprays that contain benzocaine should not be used on burns. Benzocaine may cause an allergic rash.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment or cream, like Silvazine, to any open blisters daily for 3 days.
FOR SAFE, HEALTHY FUN IN THE SUN, DO THE FOLLOWING: - Avoid sun exposure between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Clouds do not protect you from ultraviolet exposure.
- Avoid long periods of direct sun exposure. Altitude, water, sand, and snow increase your exposure to the sun.
- Use a sun block with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher for both UVA and UVB rays and reapply after 30 minutes of swimming or excessive sweating.
- Wear sunglasses which have a 100 percent UV protection.
Article #4978 Copyright (c) 2002 McKesson. All Rights Reserved. |
