Pomerene Hospital Blog
Sun Safety 101
Pomerene Marketing - Thursday, June 07, 2018
So it is finally warm (ish... it’s June 6th and the high today was mid 60s, but in Ohio, this is not unexpected). Even on a cool and cloudy day however, you should be thinking about sun safety. UV rays are still a concern on cloudy days and it only takes 15 minutes of exposure to cause skin damage.
Here are some tips for staying safe this summer.
- Shade is your best bet. Find a shady spot under a tree, umbrella, or other structure while enjoying the outdoors.
- Wear clothing with UV protection. Even a plain T-shirt is better than nothing.
- Wear a wide brimmed hat or a ball cap. But remember your ears with a ball cap!
- Wearing sunglasses reduces your risk of cataracts and permanent eye damage.
- Wear sunscreen and apply often, especially after swimming or sweating. Your sunscreen should be at least 15 SPF. What does SPF mean? A SPF of 15 means
you can be in the sun 15 times longer before burning. So a SPF of 70 is even better and will protect you longer. Make sure your makeup and lip
balm also contain SPF.
What to do if you get burned?
- Take aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen for discomfort.
- Increase your water intake.
- Try a cool bath or cool rags on the burned areas.
- Use a soothing cream or aloe on burn.
- Do not break blisters.
Seek medical attention if:
- Your burns are severe and greater than 15% of your body.
- You are dehydrated.
- You have a fever.
- You have extreme pain for greater than 48 hours.
Hope you have a safe and fun summer!
Blog written by: Beth Amicone, APRN, FNP-C