The sun sends out energy called ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is invisible to our eyes but powerful enough to damage our skin. UV radiation is the primary cause of skin cancer, which is the most common type of cancer in the United States. About 9,500 people in the US are diagnosed with skin cancer every single day. Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays can reach your skin, so protection matters year-round.
Sunburn occurs when UV radiation damages the DNA inside your skin cells. Your skin turns red, feels hot, and sometimes blisters as your body tries to repair the damage. Getting just 5 or more blistering sunburns in your lifetime doubles your risk of developing melanoma, which is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. Even a single bad sunburn during childhood increases your skin cancer risk later in life.
Sunscreen creates a protective barrier on your skin that absorbs or reflects UV rays before they can cause damage. Sunscreen with SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 blocks about 98%. You should apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside and reapply every 2 hours, as well as right after swimming or sweating. Use about one ounce (a shot glass full) to cover your whole body, and don’t forget spots like your ears, the back of your neck, and the tops of your feet.
Sunscreen is important, but it works best when combined with other protection. Try to stay in the shade during peak UV hours, which are between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wearing long sleeves, long pants, and a wide-brimmed hat blocks UV rays from reaching your skin. UV-blocking sunglasses protect your eyes and the delicate skin around them from sun damage. Dark, tightly woven clothing provides more UV protection than light, loosely woven fabrics.
Heat exhaustion happens when your body overheats and cannot cool itself down properly, usually when the core body temperature rises to between 100°F and 104°F. Symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, cold and clammy skin, a weak pulse, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. If someone shows signs of heat exhaustion, move them to a cool place right away, have them lie down, loosen their clothing, and give them cool water to sip. Putting cool, wet cloths on the skin or taking a cool bath can also help the body cool down.
Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency that happens when the body’s core temperature rises above 104°F and the body’s cooling system stops working. Unlike heat exhaustion, the skin becomes hot and red, and the person may stop sweating entirely. The pulse becomes rapid and strong, and the person may become confused or lose consciousness. If you suspect someone has heat stroke, call 911 immediately and try to cool the person with cold water, ice packs, or wet sheets while waiting for help.
The best way to prevent heat illness is to stay hydrated by drinking water before you even feel thirsty. Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that lets air flow around your body and helps sweat evaporate. Take regular breaks in the shade or air conditioning, especially during outdoor activities on hot days. Never leave people or pets inside a parked car, even for a few minutes, because the temperature inside a car can rise 20°F in just 10 minutes.
Learning to recognize the warning signs of sun and heat problems can save lives. If sunburn covers a large area of the body, causes blisters, or comes with fever and chills, see a doctor. For heat exhaustion, if symptoms don’t improve within 30 minutes of cooling down and hydrating, seek medical attention. Heat stroke is always a 911 emergency, so do not wait to see if the person gets better on their own.
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