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While schools let us spend the summer, we'll go swimming, hiking, camping, family reunions, sunburn, heat stroke and skin damage. Unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light can cause skin and eye burns, leading to premature aging, cataracts and cancer.
You can protect yourself from the harmful effects of heat and ultraviolet rays, including skin cancer. Health Canada has tips for being proactive this summer.
1. Choose the right sunscreen
• Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.
• Look for "water resistant" or "sporty" on the sunscreen label. "Water resistant" or "sporty" sunscreens have been formulated to stay on the skin better if you are in the water or perspiring. These sunscreen products must still be applied again after the release of water or after heavy sweating.
• Look for lip balms with SPF.
2. Appropriate use of sunscreen
• The sunscreen must be applied at least 15 minutes before going out and at least every 2 hours while you are outside. Apply it generously to areas not covered by clothing, hat or sunglbades. Do not forget your ears, the back of your hands and your scalp if you have very short hair or if you are bald.
• Use sunscreen when the UV index is equal to or greater than 3 (usually from April to September).
• To get the most out of your sunscreen, it is important to use the recommended amount. For example, an adult should use about 7 teaspoons (35 ml) of sunscreen to cover all areas of exposed skin (1 teaspoon for each arm, 1 teaspoon for each leg, 1 teaspoon for the front, 1 teaspoon for the back and 1 for your face and neck).
• Sunscreens and insect repellents can be used together safely. Apply sunscreen first, wait 20 minutes, then insect repellent.
3. Practice moderation
• The sun's UV rays are the strongest between 11 am and 3 pm Think about the time you spend outside during these hours.
• Wear a hat, sunglbades and protective clothing
• Finding shade
• Protect yourself and your family, even on cloudy days and in winter, because snow is also a powerful UV reflector
• Keep babies out of the sun and warm them up as much as possible. They are much more sensitive to the sun than adults. If you are outside, keep your baby in the shade whenever possible and have him wear wide-brimmed hats and light, loose clothing that covers their skin. Ask your health care provider to use sunscreens on babies under six months old.
Treatment of sunburn
• cold shower or cold compress
• Aloe gel
• Drink liquids
• ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief
Skin Cancer in the Waterloo Region
According to a report on the state of health of the 2014 population, melanoma was the sixth-largest cancer diagnosed in the Waterloo Region from 1986 to 2009. Incidence Rates in the Waterloo Region and Ontario showed a steady increase over this period, with rates slightly higher than those in Ontario. . Melanoma is most often found on the backs of men and on women's backs and legs. It is the most common but the most serious type of skin cancer. The mortality rate remained below 4.0 deaths per 100,000 population, with rates consistently higher for men than for women. Skin cancer usually appears in adulthood, but can be caused by excessive sun exposure and sunburn during childhood. You can help prevent skin cancer by protecting your skin and that of your children from the harmful rays of the sun.
Waterloo Region Public Health and Emergency Services General Inquiries: 519-575-4400
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