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Did you know that a few tips could help protect you and your family from skin and eye injury? While some sunlight is necessary, it can be dangerous, causing sunburn, premature aging of the skin, skin cancer, cataracts, allergies, and damage to the immune system. Children can get 80% of their lifetime sun by the age of 18. Older people should also avoid the sun.

The Ultraviolet (UV) Index provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities and avoid over-exposure to the damaging rays of the sun. Developed by the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the UV Index is issued daily as a national service.

What is the UV Index?

The UV Index is a forecast, of the amount of ultraviolet expected to reach the Earth's surface when the sun is highest in the sky. The higher the index, the faster UV radiation causes damage to the skin and eyes. The index depends on the elevation of the sun in the sky, the cloud cover, and amount of ozone. The Index predicts UV levels on a 0-10+ scale and is usually published in daily newspapers with the weather, or is a part of television weather reports. Always take precautions against over-exposure, and take special care when the UV Index predicts exposure levels of moderate to above (5-10+).

Two UV Indexes to Consider

Ultraviolet light consists of UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are considered the "tanning" rays. UVA can penetrate deeply into the skin resulting in damage. While UVB is considered the "burn" index and is most associated with sunburns, both UVA and UVB cause suntan, sunburn, and sun damage. There is no "safe" UV light, and no such thing as a safe tan. Newer broad-spectrum sunscreens contain products to block both UVA and UVB.

How much sun am I getting?

Sun exposure depends on many things. It varies with the time of day, season, location, and altitude. High amounts of UV rays can penetrate clouds. Clouds, water, white sand, concrete, and snow all reflect UV rays and increase exposure. Exposure to the sun between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm is very damaging.

What role does ozone layer depletion play?

The ozone layer shields the earth from the sun's harmful UV rays. Although ozone changes from day to day and place to place, world scientists have measured long-term decreases in ozone over the last ten years. Decreases in the ozone layer lead to increases in the amount of dangerous UV radiation that reaches the earth's surface. Future levels of ozone will depend upon a combination of natural and man-made factors, including discontinuing the manufacture and use of chlorofluorocarbons (sprays) and other ozone-depleting chemicals.

Effects of the Sun

Sunburn - If you are in the sun too long, you may get red in a few hours. A bad reaction includes tenderness, pain, swelling, and blistering. It also may include fever, chills, and nausea. There is no cure for sunburn. Wet compresses, cool baths, and soothing lotions may help. If you have a bad burn, see your dermatologist. A single bad burn as a child will increase your skin's susceptibility to damage and skin cancer throughout life.

Tanning - Some people think that a tan means a person looks good, and looks healthy. Dermatologists know that a tan is a sign of skin damage. A tan may protect against sunburn, but in reality it is a form of sun damage and will not prevent further sun damage. Your skin "remembers" all damage, and with every burn, the skin becomes more damaged.

Premature Wrinkling - People who work or lay in the sun develop tough, leathery skin that may make them look much older. Too much sun changes the texture of the skin and weakens the skin's ability to snap back after stretching, causing sagging cheeks and deep wrinkles. If the skin was never exposed to the sun, it would look like the smooth skin on your buttocks. The sun can also cause unsightly red, yellow, gray, or brown spots. Scaly growths (actinic keratoses) occur and may develop into skin cancer. These changes are due to your lifetime exposure to the sun, including the sun exposure you had in childhood. Your dermatologist can treat premature wrinkles and pre-cancers.

Skin Cancer - The incidence of skin cancer is increasing faster than any other cancer. There will be over one million new cases this year. Skin cancer is caused by too much sun, long-term exposure, and bad sunburns. More than 90% of all skin cancers occur on parts of the body exposed to the sun. The face, neck, ears, forearms, chest, back, legs, and hands are the most common places for skin cancer to develop.

The three main types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

1. Basal cell carcinoma usually appears as a small, shiny, fleshy nodule on the exposed parts of the body. The basal cell carcinoma grows slowly, and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. However, basal cell carcinoma can severely damage skin around and below it. When diagnosed and treated early, it has a high cure rate.

2. Squamous cell carcinoma typically develops on the face, ears, lips, and mouth. It begins as a red, scaly patch. Left untreated, squamous cell carcinoma can spread to other areas of the body and can be fatal.

3. Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer and usually appears as a dark brown or black patch with irregular edges. Sometimes, it is multi-colored with shades of red, blue, or white. Melanoma can spread or metastasize to other areas of the body and can be fatal.

Eye Damage - The sun can cause cataracts and other eye damage. Cataracts are one of the leading causes of blindness. Wearing UV blocking sunglasses when outdoors is recommended.

Allergies - Some people develop allergies to the sun. These reactions may occur after short periods of sun exposure. Bumps, hives, blisters, or red blotchy areas may appear on sun exposed areas. Cosmetics, perfumes, and drugs can make some individuals sensitive to the sun.

Immune System Suppression and Disease - Short periods of sun exposure can damage the human immune system and make the body more susceptible to infections and cancers. Although the color of your skin may provide you with some protection against sunburn, the immune systems in people with dark and light skin are all affected by the sun. Some diseases can become worse with sun exposure including herpes simplex (cold sores), chicken pox, lupus, and certain genetic problems.

What are proper precautions to prevent skin cancer and eye damage?

• Pay attention to the UV Index reports.
• Minimize sun exposure from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
• Avoid sunlamps, tanning beds, and tanning parlors.
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of 15 or higher and a UVA Blocker. Reapply every 1-2 hours.
  Wear protective, tightly woven clothing, a broad-brimmed hat, and sunglasses. Children who will not wear sunglasses should wear a hat with a wide brim.
• Protect children by keeping them indoors between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm and by applying sunscreen to children older than 6 months. Children under the age of 6 months should be kept out of the sun.
• Wearing UV blocking sunglasses when outdoors.

Need more information?

For more information on the UV Index, please call:

EPA Stratospheric Ozone Hotline:
(800) 296-1996

National Weather Service:
(301) 714-0622

UV Index Exposure

UV Index: Current UV Index Forecast.

Locate a dermatologist in your area.

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