There’s nothing quite like a nice warm summer's day is there?  Whether it’s lying on a beach in Spain or just in the back garden we feel we should be making the most of the sun while it lasts.  Sunshine contains natural goodness, it activates vitamin D in the body which is good for strong bones, and it definitely lifts a persons mood. Like most things though, it’s all about moderation.  We need to control the amount of contact we allow our skin to have with the UV radiation that the sun emits.

The most common result of over exposure to sunlight is sunburn.  It is caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun.  There are two types of ultraviolet rays, UVA and UVB. UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply and can cause melanoma in susceptible people.  UVB rays, which don't penetrate as deeply, cause sunburn and wrinkling.  Most UVB rays are absorbed by sunscreens, but only about half the UVA rays are absorbed.

Skin cancer from sun over-exposure is a serious health problem in the United States, affecting almost a million Americans each year.  One out of 87 will develop malignant melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, and 7,300 of them will die each year (source : www.vhi.ie).

Fair-skinned people are most susceptible to sunburn because their skin produces only small amounts of the protective pigment called melanin.  People trying to get a tan too quickly in strong sunlight are also more vulnerable to sunburn. While they have a lower risk, even the darkest-skinned people can get skin cancer.

Repeated sun over-exposure and burning can prematurely age our bodies, causing yellowish, wrinkled skin. Furthermore, over exposure can increase the risk of skin cancer, especially a serious burn in childhood.

Sunburn can be avoided by taking the appropriate precautions before going out into the sun.  You need to be aware of your skin type as this will determine how quickly you will burn and the level of protection that you need to use.  Don’t forget the parts of the body that are easily missed like the back of the neck and feet.

Children can be particularly at risk from exposure to sunlight as they spend much more time in the sun than adults.  Children's skin is especially delicate.  Always use sun block on children's skin and be sure to reapply after swimming.  If necessary, get your child to wear a t-shirt while swimming, as this will protect their shoulders, chest, and back.  Dress them in cool and loose clothing. Try to keep them out of direct sunlight, especially during the late morning and early afternoon when the risk of sunburn is highest.  Keep them in the shade, if possible!

In the event that a person does suffer sunburn there are some essential steps to take.  If the burn is mild, the person should drink plenty of water.  To ease the pain, placing damp cloths on the burns may give some temporary relief.  Similarly soaking in a bath of tepid water may help. Do not use soap as this may irritate the burn.  Afterwards, do not rub the skin, gently pat it dry instead.  

Apply after-sun lotion do not apply any other kinds of lotions or creams unless they have been specifically cleared by a doctor.  Some of them may contain ingredients which could further irritate the skin.

If blisters develop, watch for infection. Any infection should be treated by a doctor.

If you, or somebody you know is severely burned, always get medical attention (Source : www.irishhealth.ie).

Be sun smart, and if you are taking out those barbeques remember to cook your food through and enjoy the lazy sunny days!