UV Safety Month

UV Safety Month

In this post:

• Introduction – prevention of skin cancer
• Do’s and Don’ts
• What to look out for
• Risk Factors
• Resources

Introduction

Short though Alaskan summers may be, they pack in a lot of sunlight and harmful UV rays in those precious few months. UV rays from sunlight (and artificial sources like tanning beds) cause a lot of damage to your skin and can ultimately lead to skin cancer, which is why experts say you should limit your exposure to UV rays as much as possible. Skin cancer is a very common type of cancer in the US, and while generally very survivable, it is also highly avoidable with the right precautions.

Do’s and Don’ts of UV Exposure

Protecting yourself from UV rays is easy to do with a little bit of forethought. Follow these basic rules to help prevent skin cancer and keep your skin looking young and healthy for longer!

Do:

• Hang out in the shade when outdoors
• Wear clothing that covers your skin, like long-sleeved shirts and pants
• Use sunscreen and re-apply it at least every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your scalp, face, ears, and the back of your neck
• Wear sunglasses that block UV rays, not just cosmetics

Don’t:

• Use indoor tanning devices, which give off harmful UVs
• Forget to re-apply your sunscreen
• Assume you are protected based on your skin tone
• Spend hours and hours outdoors in sun without protection

Remember, these rules apply to your kids as well. It’s easy for kids to get caught up in playing outdoors, and they’re not going to remember the above tips for themselves. Be sure your kids are adequately protected before cutting them loose for a day of summer fun, and check on them regularly to be sure they’re re-applying sunscreen and keeping those hats in place!

What to look out for on your skin

We’re not a fan of posting graphic photos of disease processes on our site without warning, so if you’re interested in photos of what skin cancer can look like, we’ll redirect you to a helpful outside resource. If you want the picture-less version, here’s what to watch out for:

• A new, expanding, or changing growth, spot, or bump on the skin
• A mole that’s new or changing in size, shape, or color
• A mole with an odd shape, irregular borders, or areas of different colors
• A sore that bleeds and/or doesn’t heal after several weeks
• A rough or scaly red patch, which might crust or bleed
• A wart-like growth

It’s a good idea to get to know your skin and any of its usual moles, beauty marks, or blemishes, from head to toe, and take note if anything new appears or if anything you’ve had for a long time starts changing. Sometimes, cancer doesn’t look anything like the above, so knowing what’s different is a good place to start.

Risk Factors

Skin cancer can happen to everyone, but if you have any of the following risk factors, you may need to be especially diligent about protecting yourself and checking your skin for changes:

• Natural blonde or red hair
• Fair-skinned
• Lots of moles, or large or irregularly-shaped moles
• Have had a lot of sunburns, or tend to burn before tanning
• Spend a lot of time outdoors, e.g. for an outdoor job
• Spend a lot of time in tropical climates or high altitudes
• Take medications that make you sensitive to light
• Have a condition that lowers your immune system
• Have a family history of skin cancer, especially melanoma
• Have a history of skin cancer

Resources

If you notice changes to your skin, you don’t have to go straight to a dermatologist, especially if there are long waits for dermatology visits in your community. You can start with your primary care doctor, who can do an initial assessment and let you know if you should see a dermatologist. They sometimes can do initial tests on the spot you’re concerned about, and will place a referral for you, which can make it easier to get in to see a specialist like a dermatologist and help ensure your insurance will cover the visit.

Questions? Call us today at 907-455-4567 to make an appointment with a primary care provider!

Author

The Quality Team @ ICHC The Quality department at ICHC brings you helpful information about your healthcare in Fairbanks and Healy, AK. We are proudly committed to ensuring high-quality "healthcare with a heart!"