Healthy Living * Travel Health

Take care in the sun this summer

Dr Chris Steele gives some tips on avoiding skin damage in the summer sun

In Britain, many of us tend to hibernate during the colder months, avoiding the gym on those dark winter mornings to stay wrapped up in bed for an extra half hour! So when summertime comes around, we are quick to get out and stretch our legs to make the most of the warmer weather. For some of us, it might only be to walk that extra mile instead of taking a bus, but for others, the summer weather can motivate us to get fit, as we sign up to run the London Marathon, or simply register with a gym to use their outdoor facilities.

However, although it is great to be able to spend time outside exercising, sometimes a simple game of tennis or a quick jog around the park can over expose our skin to the sun, resulting in painful sunburn. In these cases, many people will think nothing of it, slapping on some after sun to ease the pain, but rarely think about the consequences of the build up of sun damage. Skin damage can occur (in the form of Solar Keratoses) on parts of the body that are more exposed to the sun, such as; the neck, face, tips of the ears, shoulders, and back – all of which are exposed during outdoor sport.

Solar keratoses (SKs) appear on the skin as small raised rough patches or bumps (often pink, red or brown in colour) as a result of cumulative sun exposure and burning. If ignored, these skin lesions can in some cases lead to skin cancer. Fortunately, if diagnosed early, SK is one of the most treatable forms of sun damaged skin, so checking for changes on a regular basis and seeking advice about any strange or unusual marks can make all the difference. It is also important to consult your GP immediately about anything you are concerned about and if treatment is required, your GP may prescribe a cream or gel to treat the skin lesions or adopt a more physical approach.

So this summer, take care when playing outdoors...

• Wear a t-shirt instead of a vest to keep your shoulders covered
• Cover your head with a hat to protect your head from the sun
• Spend five minutes before you leave the house putting on some sun cream

Further information
A website http://www.sundamagedskin.co.uk has been launched to assist people concerned about the long term effects of the sun on their skin and to help identify any signs of damage. The website provides quick and easy access to information about solar keratosis and the signs of sun damage as well as highlighting the risks caused by excessive sun exposure. In addition, descriptions and images of sun damaged skin can be viewed on the site so that visitors can gain a strong insight into what to look for before seeking medical attention.

Dr Chris says : I have suffered from skin cancer - twice! So I know how important it is to take care in the sun, especially if concerns about global warming are true. Keep your skin covered and use sun cream and look after your skin.

 

This article was published on Fri 5 June 2009

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