From head to toe, here are the basics to having fun in the sun.
With summer already underway, now is the time to protect yourself and your family from the summer sun. Before the sun hits its maximum strength, this is a good time to review with your family some of the basic dangers the sun poses.
“The American Academy of Dermatology recommends at least a 15 (sun protection factor or SPF), but for my patients who have had any exposure, any history, any risk factors, I recommend at least 30,” says Dr. Jennifer Lucas, a dermatologist at Cleveland Clinic.
You should also make sure your sunscreen has the words “broad spectrum” on its label. Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays. The Sun Safety Alliance reminds us that the sun is strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and UV rays reflect off sand, concrete and water.
Bug repellents can reduce a sunscreen’s effectiveness by as much as 30 percent, so if you’re using them in combination, use a sunscreen with a higher SPF. For even better protection, wear dark clothing that has tightly woven fabric, Lucas says. Also, do not forget about wearing wide-brimmed hats.
“Everyone goes for the baseball cap,” she says. “The problem is that it’s just shielding one portion of your face, so you’re still getting sun exposure on all other aspects of your face.”
She notes it’s not only important to choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, but to also use the correct amount.
Lucas says, “A shot glass amount or a golf ball-sized amount is enough to cover your exposed skin if you are in a bathing suit.”
The FDA now requires sunscreens that aren’t broad spectrum and lack an SPF of at least 15 to carry a warning. It reminds people that particular product will not protect against skin cancer and early signs of aging.
Lucas says regardless of the strength of sunscreen you choose, you should regularly reapply.
“The typical rules are you’re going to need to reapply every two hours — more often if you’re sweating or doing something that will physically remove the sunscreen (such as) something like swimming,” she says.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the American Cancer Society promote this message when it comes to sun protection:“Slip! Slop! Slap! and Wrap!” In other words, slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat and wrap on sunglasses.
Lucas also notes that babies 6 months and younger should never be exposed to the sun’s damaging rays. Always seek shade with little ones whenever possible.
Summer Bug Bites
Of the few things we don’t like about summer, bugs and the bites they leave behind are among the worst. Experts at Cleveland Clinic say mosquito bites in particular can become a problem.
Keep in mind mosquitoes can carry the West Nile Virus. Adults are at a higher risk of contracting the disease than children. If fever and muscle weakness result from a bug bite, you may need to seek medical treatment.
Tick bites are also a common concern during this time of year. They can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. It’s always best to perform a quick “tick check” after spending time in high grass or the woods, and, of course, remove them right away.
Most ticks don’t cause infection unless they’ve attached to the skin for more than 24 hours, Cleveland Clinic experts note.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends removing a tick with a pair of tweezers by grabbing it as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
Heat Warnings
June produces some of the hottest weather of the year in Northeast Ohio with forecasters often predicting temperatures above 90 degrees.
“When the temp is very high, it inhibits your body’s ability to dissipate heat, especially when it’s humid,” says Dr. Tom Waters, an emergency medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic. “Our main mechanism to get rid of heat is through sweating, and when it’s very hot and humid we’re not very efficient at getting rid of heat, so both of those two conditions can predispose a person to a heat emergency.”
Warning signs of a heat emergency can include a general sick feeling, nausea, headache and confusion. If extreme, a heat emergency could even cause someone to fall into a coma. Waters says that it’s incredibly important to keep a watchful eye out for these symptoms and to get help, if necessary.
“If you notice that yourself or a loved one is experiencing any of those signs, remove yourself (or loved one) from the heat and start hydrating,” he says. “If you noticed a loved one has started to act confused, that’s a true heat emergency and you need to get them to a hospital right away.”
Waters recommends frequent breaks if you’re outside for long periods, and drinking plenty of fluids. He says you don’t want to lose too much sodium through sweat, so alternating between water and electrolyte drinks is best.
Young children and the elderly are more susceptible to high heat, so make sure you monitor them closely.
Flip-Flop Facts
Flip-flop season is here, but just because it’s the perfect time of year for them doesn’t mean you should be putting them on everywhere you go.
Dr. Brian Donley, orthopedic surgeon and president of Cleveland Clinic Community Hospitals and Family Health Centers, says flip-flops are fun and fashionable, but not for everyday use.
“They can be damaging because they don’t provide support and protection to your foot,” Donley says. “And they also don’t provide support to the arch to allow you to support your foot as you go on the normal walking cycle of the foot.”
He also notes that while flip-flops are great because they’re easy to get on and off, you should avoid wearing them if you’re going on a long walk. You’re better off having something that supports your feet from heel strike to toe push-off.
Flip-flops affect the way we walk because they have a tendency to slide or slip off our feet. Flip-flop wearers typically experience heel and arch pain if they’re worn for too long.
The best place to flaunt your flip-flops is poolside or at the beach, Donley says. It’s recommended that you throw away flip-flops that are worn or torn, and when shopping for a new pair, avoid those with soles that freely bend or twist.
Article courtesy of Cleveland Clinic News Wire. For more information, visit health.clevelandclinic.org.
