Rochester, Minnesota — July is UV Safety Month, which makes this a good time to learn more about protecting yourself and your family from the harmful effects of ultraviolet, or UV, radiation from sunlight.
That’s from the Mayo Clinic News Network. They tell us that exposure to UV radiation from the sun damages your skin, and increases your risk of developing skin cancer, wrinkles, and age spots. Children are especially vulnerable because they tend to spend more time outdoors and can burn easily.
Mayo experts give us four ways you can protect yourself and your family from UV radiation damage:
Avoid sun exposure in the middle of the day — between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. — when the UV rays are strongest. In addition, be mindful that clouds offer little protection, and UV rays can bounce off surfaces like water, sand, snow or pavement, leading to increased UV exposure.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor, or SPF, of at least 30, even on cloudy days. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you’re swimming or perspiring. Use a generous amount of sunscreen on all exposed skin, including your lips, the tips of your ears, and the backs of your hands and neck. And if you’re using leftover sunscreen from year to year, be sure to check the expiration date. Learn more about choosing the best sunscreen.
UV radiation also can burn your eyes. Sunburned eyes can feel painful or gritty. Too much UV light can damage the retina, lens, and cornea. Sun damage to the lens can lead to clouding of the lens or cataracts. Exposure to UV light also can increase your risk of developing ocular melanoma. Sunburn of the cornea is also called snow blindness. Look for sunglasses that block both types of UV radiation — UVA and UVB rays. Learn more about choosing the best sunglasses.
Mayo Clinic experts also advise that sunscreens don’t provide complete protection from UV rays. They say you also should protect your skin with dark, tightly woven clothing that covers your arms and legs, and a broad-brimmed hat that provides more protection than a baseball cap or visor. Some companies also sell photoprotective clothing, with a UV protection factor, or UPF, rating similar to the SPF rating of sunscreens. Learn more about UPF clothing.
Mayo experts say exercising and enjoying time outdoors are important for good health. Staying protected from the sun will allow you and your family to do so safely.
Find more helpful information from the Mayo Clinic and others on Med Clinic Radio on KIWA AM-1550 and FM 100.7. Each episode features guest experts from Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, The Cleveland Clinic, and other top medical centers. It airs at 5 p.m. Sunday evenings on KIWA AM-1550 and FM 100.7.
