It’s UV Safety Month! Increase Your UV Intelligence
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https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/sun-and-your-medicine
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Summer days are often filled with more fun in the sun, especially with our family and friends.
While enjoying this time of year, remember a few items to help keep you and your family safe when you're out in the sun and enjoying the pool, lake, or beach.
There aren't many things more refreshing on a hot summer day than a dip in the pool. However, playing in the water unsupervised can be dangerous for some age groups. Drowning is the cause of more deaths among children aged 1-4 years than any other cause, apart from congenital anomalies. In addition, young children can drown in as little as 1-2 inches of water. So, keep a close eye on young kids while swimming.
The World Health Organization recommends 5-15 minutes of sun exposure 2-3 times each week to assist with our bodies' vitamin D production. While there are some health benefits to limited sun exposure, there are risks with excessive exposure. Too much sun exposure can cause damage to the skin and increase the risk for skin cancer, the most common cancer in the U.S. If we go outside without sunscreen, the DNA of our exposed skin can become damaged due to the light rays Earth receives from the sun.
The following wavelength bands are the main concerns when we enjoy the outdoors:
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer, especially since it tends to spread to other parts of the body. However, knowing the ABCDE warning signs of melanoma can help you find melanoma in its early stages.
ABCDE warning signs of melanoma:
Adults of all ages and skin tones can get skin cancer. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a safe tan. If you are exposed to the sun's UV rays or visit a tanning salon, each time you tan, your skin is damaged. The more tans and sunburns you experience, the greater your risk of developing skin cancer.
Some medications may increase the risk of getting sunburned. You may need to take extra caution if using one of these medicines (the following is not an exhaustive list):
Whether you find yourself at a pool party, on a hike, or at a neighborhood barbecue, consider these tips to protect yourself from the potentially harmful effects of excessive sun exposure.
