Home | Health | Cancer
Although skin cancer usually happens to Caucasians, those who work outside, smokers and people with a family history of skin cancer, everybody is at risk these days as the statistics demonstrate. Cases of skin cancer have doubled every 10 years over the last 40 years and we need to take action to keep it from happening to us. There are two types of skin cancer that are very lethal if left too late. Therefore, it is crucial to follow these skin cancer prevention tips. The following information is sourced in part from the world's largest healthcare organization, NHS Direct Online. Basically, the best way to protect your self from skin cancer is to take care in the sun is to take preventative action and be sure you don't burn your skin. Once you have been burnt the damage has already been done, so remember to cover up with loose fitting clothes. In addition to skin cancer, heat stroke is another serious health concern caused by overexposure to the sun. You can help to prevent heat stroke by wearing loose-fitting clothes and drinking plenty of water to replace what's lost through perspiration. Be sure to cover your arms and legs if possible. Keep in mind that tightly woven fabrics will provide the best protection from the sun. You should also avoid direct sunlight during the afternoon sun from 11am to 3pm as this is when the sun is at its strongest. If you must go outside during these times then make sure to cover up with clothes, hat and sunglasses and apply plenty of sunscreen. Always use a sun protection lotion with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15, although exceptionally fair-skinned people, children and people living in exposed areas of the world need to use lotions with an SPF of up to 40. Be sure that your entire body is covered by sunscreen with sun protection factor above 15. The absolute minimum to cover up is your face, hands, feet and neck but you should also consider using it all over as the most vulnerable parts of your body are the spots that are not usually exposed to sunlight. Sunscreen should be applied at least 30 minutes before going out in the sun, and reapplied every couple of hours. Perspiration, water and friction from towels will cause the protection to wear off. Even waterproof sunscreen should be reapplied after swimming. You should also consider wearing waterproof sun protection when you are out swimming. UVA and UVB rays can pierce through two feet of water. You should also remember that clouds and fog do not prevent the ultraviolet rays from penetrating and getting to your skin -- that's the job of the ozone layer (which we by the way are killing off). Even on cloudy days, it's important to cover up with SPF 15, put on a hat and wear sunglasses that have UVA and UVB filters. The sun's rays can damage the retinas of the eyes and ultimately create cataracts, so it's important to protect yourself today to avoid future disease and discomfort.
Article Source: http://www.SponsorDirectory.com/Free-Content
Contributor Kenneth Surr contributes articles to several web sites, on health article and woman health issues. Get your own completely unique content version of this article.
Please Rate this Article
5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5
Not yet Rated
