When going outdoors to enjoy a healthy activity, be sure to enjoy the sunshine without risking your health.
Following these simple tips will help you enjoy your time outdoors safely:
- Seek shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Do not burn. A single sunburn increases the risk of melanoma.
- Cover up with clothing including a broad-rimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
- Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day.
- Keep infants out of sunlight to prevent sunburn.
- Be aware of the impact any medications you are taking will have on your skin when exposed to extended periods of the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
- Sun-sensitizing drugs have the potential to cause reactions or aggravate existing skin conditions such as eczema. Some common drugs that may cause a reaction include antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and some anti-depressants. - Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
- See a physician annually for a professional skin exam.
Each year, more than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States, more than 90 percent of which are caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays.