July is prime time for spending time in the sun at the lake in your Bayliner bowrider, at a beach with your travel trailer or in the mountains enjoying your RV lifestyle. Are you being overexposed?
Did you know that any type of a suntan, whether dark or minimal, is a sign of skin damage? Here in New Mexico where the atmosphere is thin you really need extra protection from the sun!
Thank goodness for sunscreen! Not only does it protect you against a sunburn, but it also helps protects you from skin cancer, wrinkles, and premature skin aging! Many people think that you can just slap on some sunscreen in the morning and be set for the whole day but that’s not the case.
When shopping for sunscreen, consumers should look for The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation, which is awarded to sun protective products that meet stringent criteria for safety and effectiveness. Here are some sunscreen facts. There are two different kinds of ultraviolet rays we are exposed to, UVA and UVB. The SPF rating only accounts for the UVB rays...but it is important to wear sunscreen that blocks both types of rays.
Sunscreens come in different levels of protection, called SPF or sun protection factor, which is indicated as a number. The higher the SPF, the more protection your skin gets from the sun. Sunscreen will not block all of the rays your skin gets, but the way it works is for the number of SPF you put on will allow you to stay in the sun ten times that many minutes. For example, if you would normally burn within 10 minutes a SPF of 15 would protect you from burning for just over 2 hours. If you apply SPF 30 you can stay out in the sun 300 minutes longer than your usual time without sunscreen before your skin will burn, or for approximately 5 hours. Remember to re-apply frequently, especially if swimming or sweating.
Don't forget the sunscreen for your lips as well. Many lipsticks or lip balms sold today contain SPF. For sunscreen for your lips, you should use a product with an SPF of at least 15.
Keep in mind that many different prescription medications can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Some antidepressants, diuretics, antibiotics, antihistamines, and even birth control pills can cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Make sure you ask your pharmacist if your medications are among those that can cause you to react to the sun.
You didn't wear sunscreen? And now you are treating sunburn blisters and pain. That could end a good time quickly!
There are many types of sunburn treatments, from doctor-prescribed, to over the counter, to natural sunburn home remedies. Your first aid kit should contain some kind of remedy for treating sunburn and to help relieve sunburn pain.
A sunburn will start to show a few hours after your sun exposure and can progressively get worse for the next few hours or even days.
The main signs are red skin, pain and tenderness when you move, and later blisters and peeling skin.
Most sunburns are not life-threatening, merely very uncomfortable. So your sunburn remedies will mainly consist of sunburn pain relief measures. However, sometimes a you might need to treat a severe sunburn by seeking medical treatment. If you have a severe sunburn which covers more than 15% of your body, a high fever, and/or vomiting with dehydration, then you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
If you have been sunburned it is important to keep your skin protected from any further sun damage. Follow good sun protection methods to keep your skin covered up. Use long-sleeved shirts, hats, sunglasses, and long pants. Or remain in the shade, especially during the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the rays from the sun are strongest.
Taking a cool bath will help cool the burn as well. Next, a good soothing skin gel or lotion, such as aloe vera gel, can be applied. If you cannot stand to have the gel put on your skin you can also use a spray preparation such as Solarcaine.
Finally, taking an anti-inflammatory such as naproxin or ibuprofen helps to relieve some of that sunburn pain.
If you do get blisters it is important not to break them. This will increase your risk of infection. You can cover the blisters with a light gauze pad if it is necessary.
Once your skin begins to peel, keep applying a moisturizer.
Of course the best sunburn remedy is sunburn prevention! So slather up!