Summer Safety and Sunscreen

With school breaks here and summer around the corner, it's a great time to get outside and enjoy Colorado.  While sunshine and warm days are great, they can pose risks as well; keeping safety in mind remains imperative.  The skin is not a fan of sunburn and unprotected sun exposure, both of which are risk factors for skin cancer.  There is debate whether sunscreen protects against skin cancer.  However I believe suncreen does protect against squamous cell cancer and probably against melanoma if used properly while minimizing exposure.

Before even discussing sunscreen use, there are some basic measures we can take to reduce sun exposure.

• Wear clothes and a hot - covering up areas with clothing and using a wide-brim hat is great protection.  Dont forget sunglasses as well to protect the eyes which can also be damaged by sunlight.
• Find or make shade - if setting up at the beach, park or pool or taking a break on a hike, find a shady spot or use pop-up shading.
• If you are an outdoor exerciser, do it early or late, when the suns rays are weaker

If you want to talk about a controversial topic, just bring up sunscreen.  There are great debate as to the safest and most effective measures.  However, there are some concepts that are not debated.  First and foremost is apply generously and reapply often.  Most studies suggest people use about 1/5th of the necessary sunscreen to reach the listed SPF.  Personally, I like the guidelines and recommendations of the Environmental Working Group.  They are a bit more conservative in their recommendations than other organizations, but I think they have the consumers best interests in mind.  I strongly recommend reading their site:  http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen for detailed information, though some highlights follow.

• Ensure good UVA protection - Sunexposure produces ultrasviolet (UV) rays of two primary wavelengths, UVA and UVB.  Both pose risks though UVA protection is not documented well and often left out of products.
• Mineral agents (zinc ozide and titanium) are preferred as they offer the best combination of safety along with UVA and UVB protection.  Avobenzone 3% is considered next best if non-mineral agents are preferred.
• Avoid oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate - These compounds are present in more than half of products out there and while there is no definitive proof, studies suggest these agents could be harmful, especially in children.
• Avoid sprays and powders - These formulations increase risk of inhaling particles that could negatively impact the body.

There are some other safety measures that are important when outside during the Summer.  Heat-related illness (heat exhaustion and heat stroke) can be extremely dangerous.  Below are some tips that can help you avoid these issues.

• Don't forget water and other fluids.  If you're waiting till thirsty to drink, you are already dehydrated.  Make sure you are drinking frequently throughout the day.  Regular urination of clear to pale yellow urine is a good sign of being hydrated.  If you're just hanging out at the pool or park, regular water is fine.  If you're exercising or sweating profusely, something with sugar and electrolytes is a good idea to incorporate.  In unique medical situations we might want to restrict fluid intake, but for the majority of people, more is generally better.
• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing with a hat
• Exercise early or late in the day
• Avoid prolonged periods outside during extreme heat days.

Finally, just a couple other tips this summer...

For all you bikers out there (even casual ones), please remember two things: road safety and Helmets, Helmets, Helmets!

Lastly, for this article, but certainly not of all safety tips, a reminder of what poison ivy looks like.  Exposure is definitely not a fun thing.