Text Size

eNEWSLETTERS

July is UV Safety Month!

Soaking up Vitamin D from the sun’s rays can keep you from feeling lazy and also help you have stronger bones. How much sun exposure is enough to boost your morale without harming your skin and eyes?
While some exposure to sunlight can be enjoyable, too much is dangerous and hazardous to your health. Long term sun exposure can lead to extreme sun burns, skin cancer, cataracts, blurred vision and even blindness.
With this year being put in record books as the hottest year to date (examiner.com), it is a good thing the month of July has been recognized as UV safety month. Family Medical Walk-In Clinics wanted to provide a few helpful, yet simple tips, on how to keep you and your family protected during these hot, smothering summer months.

How to: Protect Yourself
These tips are provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Limit your time in the sun, especially between 10am and 2pm.
Seek shade often.
Use sunscreen with at least an SPF 15.

Q. Does a higher SPF sunscreen really help?
A. Visit this link to find out: http://www.skincancer.org/doesahigher-spfsun-protection-factorsunscreenalwaysprotect.html

Wear sunglasses.
Sport a beautiful wide brimmed hat.
Avoid sunlamps and tanning salons.
Learn how to dress to protect your skin while looking fashionable!

http://www.skincancer.org/cool-clothes-safe-skin.html

Watch for the daily UV index readings.

This UV Index (provided below) was devised by the Environmental Protection Agency and National Weather Service. It is a color-coded warning system to alert people to the dangers of being outdoors on certain days.

UV Safety
To learn more about UV rays, please visit: http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/fact_sheets/EG_UV_Safety.pdf

The Outcome of Too Much Sun:

WebMD has provided a great slideshow on how the sun can damage your skin: http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/slideshow-sun-damaged-skin
Sunburns

Many years of experiencing some form of sunburn can lead to symptoms of some skin cancer: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/skin/page6
Important skin cancer facts

Premature wrinkling
Sun sensitivity
Immune system suppression and disease
Eye damage

Pay attention to those UV’s, my friends!
Sources:
http://nutrition.about.com/od/askyournutritionist/f/sunlight.htm
http://www.accessexcellence.org/HHQ/HRC/HF/uv_safety_2009.php
http://www.skincancer.org/
http://askville.amazon.com/sun-exposure-sunscreen/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=1727900
http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/stayheal.html
http://www.skincancer.org/the-scfs-guide-to-sunscreens.html

Missouri
Arkansas
- Rogers
- Springdale