It’s not all sun and games

Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.

July has a reputation for being the hottest month of the year, with average temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average heat index hitting a blazing 114 degrees. Even so, summer is a popular time to be outside, and many people are well prepared to endure the heat. Staying hydrated, keeping cool and avoiding strenuous activities in the mid-day heat are all great ways to avoid heat exhaustion. But there is more than just heat to protect yourself from.
All this heat comes from the sun, but everybody knows that. What you may not know is that it isn't just warmth and light shining down on you while you are sunning at the beach. What is happening is the sun is emitting energy in different forms. One form of energy is the visible light that we see. Another form is infrared radiation that we feel as heat. The third form is Ultraviolet radiation that we cannot see or feel. It is UV radiation that we need to be careful of, as it can play a dangerous role in our overall health. While the Earth's atmosphere shields us from a majority of radiation, a dangerous amount still makes it to the Earth's surface, and wouldn't you know it- that's where we live! July is Ultraviolet Safety Awareness month, and during this time, it is important to be mindful of just how to protect yourself from harmful radiation.
It's not all bad; in fact, UV is helpful in the production of vitamin D, which is essential to human health. Vitamin D helps us absorb calcium and phosphorus from the food we eat. This helps in bone development. But just like with many things, too much of a good thing can be bad. Over-exposure has short term effects and long term consequences. While a sunburn may not seem like a big deal, it is a sign of short-term over-exposure. Over the years, if this exposure continues, it can lead to premature aging, cancer, and potentially blinding eye diseases.
Despite the term, “ a healthy tan,” there is no such thing. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tanning is your body's attempt to protect itself from the damage of UV radiation. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Current estimates are that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. It is estimated that nearly 10,000 people in the US are diagnosed every day.
To avoid this, limit time spent in the mid-day sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest. If you do go out to spend time in the sun, wear protective clothing. No one wants to wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts in July, but a sun hat and sunglasses are a great place to start! Use sunscreen when you plan to be out in the sun. Apply a minimum of SPF 30 approximately 20 minutes before going outside, and reapply every 2 hours or after sweating or swimming. Avoid tanning beds, and try to avoid getting a sunburn.
Check your skin. If you notice any abnormal markings or even strange changes to familiar freckles or moles, talk to a doctor. When caught early enough, most cases of skin cancer can be effectively cured.
We all want to have fun in the sun this summer. But take care of your skin, and prevent your body from succumbing to the adverse effects of UV radiation. It's all sun and games, until somebody gets burned.