5 Consequences of Long-Term Sun Exposure

Are you counting down the days until you can ditch your pasty white winter skin in favour of a gorgeous tan? While we strongly advocate for daily doses of fresh air and sunshine, sun exposure is one of those instances where "too much of a good thing may be harmful." Here are five things to keep in mind as you prepare your family for a fun and healthy summer.

1) Skin injury that occurs over a short period of time

A sunburn can occur in less than 15 minutes, although it may not appear for another two to six hours. Overexposure to ultraviolet, or UV, rays causes this type of radiation burn. The reddening of the skin is frequently accompanied by pain and blisters, as well as second-degree burns if severe enough.

2) Skin deterioration with time

Even if you don't burn frequently, long-term exposure to UV rays speeds up the ageing of your skin. More wrinkles, dryness, sagging, and a dull, leathery appearance may appear. Pigment changes, referred to as "age spots," emerge, and your skin becomes more prone to bruises. Prolonged exposure can induce changes in the skin cells, which can lead to skin cancer, the most prevalent of all cancers.

Protecting your children from sunburn is very crucial. Melanoma, basal-cell carcinoma, and squamous-cell carcinoma are three kinds of skin cancer that are increased by ultraviolet light. Sunburns from childhood, on the other hand, are frequently considered as the leading cause of melanoma later in life. The Skin Cancer Foundation issues the following warning:

"Sustaining five or more people"

3) Heat exhaustion

Heat stroke might start with heat cramps, fainting, or tiredness, but it can quickly destroy the brain and other internal organs, leading to death. Healthy young high school or college athletes frequently succumb to life-threatening heat stroke while performing rigorous workouts in high temperatures, which is more common in persons over the age of 50.

Prolonged exposure to intense heat, when paired with dehydration, causes the body's temperature management system to fail, resulting in a core body temperature of more than 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The following are some of the most common signs and symptoms of heat stroke:

1.Light-headedness and dizziness

2.Headache that throbs

3.Vomiting and nausea

4.Muscle cramps or a feeling of weakness

5.Rapid, shallow breathing and a rapid, shallow heartbeat

6.Confusion, disorientation, stumbling, seizures, loss of consciousness, or coma are all symptoms of a coma.

Call 911 as soon as possible, and keep the person as safe as possible.

4) Lack of hydration

Dehydration happens when the amount of water going out of our cells and bodies exceeds the amount we consume. The fluid levels in our bodies become unbalanced, and severe dehydration might result in death. It's a good clue that you're dehydrated if you notice your urine is dark yellow.

Dehydration might also manifest itself in the following ways:

Increased thirst, decreased urine output, and inability to sweat are all symptoms of this condition.

1.Weakness and dizziness

2.Swollen tongue and dry mouth

3.Palpitations in the heart

4.Fainting, perplexity, and sluggishness

Encourage adults and children who are dehydrated to drink small amounts of water or sports drinks such as Gatorade or Pedialyte. Sucking on ice chips or popsicles can also be beneficial.

5)  Hives

Solar urticaria refers to hives caused by sun exposure. These huge, itchy red welts can occur within 5 minutes of sun exposure and normally fade within an hour or two of removing yourself from the sun. Headaches, weakness, and nausea are among common symptoms of this rare disease. This hypersensitivity can be extremely debilitating and even fatal. Females are more likely to be impacted than males, with 3.1 per 100,000 persons worldwide affected.

Revere Health's Family Medicine providers develop long-term, compassionate connections with patients and their families if you'd want more support safeguarding your family from overexposure to the sun this summer. Internal medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics, and gynaecology are among the disciplines with a significant emphasis on preventative care and training.