Suntan To Crispy Crust: Why Is It Considered So Dangerous?
Doctors remind that the scorching sun is extremely dangerous to our health. Once again they warn that a long exposure to direct rays is very harmful to our skin and can lead to cancer. How to protect yourself from ultraviolet radiation, and what should be a signal of the need for an urgent visit to the doctor?
Doctors are unanimous: the main thing that provokes melanoma is ultraviolet light. Melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer. It is the ultraviolet that can trigger the mutation mechanism in a healthy mole. Therefore, everyone who abuses sunbathing is at risk. Especially people with very light skin, those who do not sunbathe, but rather burns, who have many moles and/or have relatives who have had skin cancer.
Although the clock is at noon and the sun is the most dangerous, the number of tourists on the beach is not decreasing, on the contrary. The doctors' words that the more often a person is roasted under the sun during his life, especially the scorching one, the more likely he may develop skin cancer or melanoma do not stop lovers of bronze tanning.
Not only is it more and more dangerous to sunbathe – because the ozone layer is thinning, so more and more people are striving to spend their holidays under the sun of exotic countries, to which their skin is not adapted. People hunting for artificial sun (tanning beds) are risking at no lesser extent.
The fashion for tanning appeared at the beginning of the 20th century thanks to Coco Chanel. She returned from a cruise with a chocolate-colored skin and immediately it became the peak of fashion, a symbol of health and well-being. Most doctors are not against moderate sunbathing, the main thing is to sunbathe correctly. It is worth avoiding the sun from 11.00 to 15.00 in the afternoon, remembering that water allows ultraviolet light to pass through and using sunscreen correctly.
"People think: I used the sun blocking cream, which means I can be in the sun all day. This is not so. There is a protective factor with a certain index, multiplying it by 15-20 minutes; you get the time that you can stay in the sun being safe. And that's all,” Andrei Novikov, a dermatologist, a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, explains.
There are people who do not sunbathe at all because they are so much afraid of getting skin cancer that this fear developed into a phobia. The severe fear of being diagnosed with cancer is called cancerophobia.
What to do if you get sunburned? In a perfect world we would remember to use sunscreen every day, reapply it every two hours, and stay in the shade. But we are all human, and sometimes bad things happen. Who hasn't woken up from an accidental nap in the sun and found burns on their shoulders?
If you've accidentally turned yourself into a lobster, follow this dermatologist-recommended sunburn relief treatment plan and your skin will feel better right away.
Get out of the sun as quickly as possible. It seems obvious, but once you notice yourself turning red, pack your beach bag and look for canopy. You should discontinue being in the sun asap and stay preferably indoors. Continue to avoid direct sun exposure until the burns have healed.
Go straight to the shower. Rinsing with cool water will bring instant relief. Also remember to drink some water to avoid dehydration.
Apply some lotion. While the skin is still damp, apply aloe vera lotion. Repeat the application several times a day until the burn has healed. Avoid using petroleum jelly lotions, as they can keep the skin hot for a long time. Also, do not use products containing lidocaine and benzocaine - local anesthetics. Some people may have an allergic reaction to these substances, causing further skin inflammation and discomfort. It is also recommended to avoid lotions with anti-aging ingredients (such as retinol) or alcohol. They can increase redness and dry out your skin. (Please disregard this part if you are allergic to any of the components mentioned).
Take a pill. Are you concentrating on your pulsing skin? Take ibuprofen. It will help in pain relief and reduce swelling. Only take it with food to avoid stomach irritation. (Please disregard this part if you are allergic to any of the components mentioned).
Chill. If you have a localized burn, then a cold compress is just what you need. Soak a rag in equal amounts of cold milk and ice water and apply a compress to the affected skin until the feeling of coolness subsides. It can be repeated several times. Coolness, a certain pH level and milk proteins will all soften the skin and make you a happy person.
Leave blisters alone. As a result of severe burns, blisters form or the skin begins to peel off. Be firm in your desire not to rip it off. Allow the skin to heal on its own: do not open the blisters, do not remove the cap. These actions can lead to irritation, long recovery, and infection is also possible. If blisters cover most of your body as a result of sunburn, you should see your doctor right away.
Wear loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. If you have to go back in the sun until the burns have healed completely, you should choose clothes and a hat that protect you from UV light. Avoid tight-fitting clothes, as they can rub the skin and cause it to peel more severely. Synthetic fabrics can also irritate delicate skin. Choose loose, breathable items made from cotton or linen.
