Sun Wise “Every morning in Africa, a Gazelle wakes up, knowing it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn’t matter whether you are a Lion or a Gazelle….when the SUN comes up, you’d better be running.”                              

The Sun: Friend or Foe Vitamin D (The Sunshine Vitamin) There is a relationship between low vitamin D levels and poor bone health. Links have been made to everything from multiple sclerosis to prostate cancer. Friend - Vitamin D (The Sunshine Vitamin) There is a well-documented relationship between low vitamin D levels and poor bone health. Now links have been made to everything from multiple sclerosis to prostate cancer.

Getting some sun may shake off the winter time blues. Friend Getting some sun may shake off the winter time blues. Getting some sun may also shake off the wintertime blues: Research suggests that light hitting your skin, not just your eyes, helps reverse seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Research suggests that light hitting your skin helps reverse seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Dose Like most things in life, it’s the dose that counts. Some is beneficial, but too much can be very harmful.

Skin and Sun Sunlight is hard on your skin. There is evidence that exposure before your 20th birthday matters most. There’s no getting around the fact that sunlight is hard on your skin. There’s also evidence that exposure when you’re young — perhaps before your 20th birthday — matters most.

is the most dangerous time to get sunburn. Melanoma A large Scandinavian study of melanoma risk published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in 2003 found that ADOLESCENCE is the most dangerous time to get sunburn. A large Scandinavian study of melanoma risk published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in 2003 found that adolescence is the most dangerous time to get sunburn. The body is most sensitive at this stage of life.

Melanoma Superficial Spreading

Melanoma beneath the fingernail

Melanoma facts The American Cancer Society estimates in 2007 8,110 fatalities 5,220 men, 2,800 women Melanoma is estimated at 59,940 33,910 men, 26,030 women The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2007, there will be 8,110 fatalities, 5,220 in men and 2,800 in women in the U.S. The number of new cases of melanoma is estimated at 59,940; of these, 33,910 will be in men and 26,030 in women. 

Sunburn Sunburn literally a burn on your skin, from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The consequence is inflammation of the skin. Injury can start within 30 minutes of exposure. Sunburn is literally a burn on your skin. It is a burn from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The consequence of this burn is inflammation of the skin. Injury can start within 30 minutes of exposure.

Sunburn Levels

“Hoot Owl” Sunburn

Premature aging (photoaging) of the skin and wrinkles Strong melanoma candidate

Both UVA and UVB are responsible for photoaging and sunburn. Tanning beds produce both UVA and UVB rays

Certain light-skinned and fair-haired people are at greater risk of sunburn injury

High risk sunburn Prior sun exposure & prior skin injury are risks for sunburn, even in limited exposure to the sun. Prior recent sun exposure and prior skin injury are risks for sunburn, even in limited exposure to the sun.

High Altitude: Skiers/Hikers/Climbers (Pic: Everest, North Col ice field)

Everest Climber UV Victim (Thin air, less UV protection)

Other sun related issues Premature Aging Severe Wrinkling Cancerous Skin tumors Pigmented Skin Lesion Development (moles) Premature Cataract Formation Chronic sun exposure not only can lead to premature aging, severe wrinkling and various malignant (cancerous) skin tumors, but also pigmented skin lesion development (moles), and premature cataract formation in the eye.

Pigmented Skin Lesion

Mild Sunburn Symptoms Mild and uncomplicated cases of sunburn usually result in minor skin redness and irritation.

Severe Sunburn Symptoms More severe cases (sun poisoning) are complicated by severe skin burning and blistering, massive fluid loss (dehydration) electrolyte imbalance, and infection.

Seeking Medical Care Conditions that should motivate View Justin Ward's map View Justin Ward's map Taken in (See more photos here) Taken in (See more photos here) Sorry, I know this is nasty and all. It's just something that needs to be documented (the public needs to know!).  Sorry, I know this is nasty and all. It's just something that needs to be documented (the public needs to know!).  Conditions that should motivate you to go to the hospital emergency room include the following:  Severe pain Severe blistering Headache Confusion Nausea or vomiting Fainting

AVOID Prevention extensive time in the SUN The best prevention is to avoid extensive time out in the sun. This is often not practical or desired.

Prevention Other more practical strategies include wearing: Wide-brim hats Long-sleeve shirts Long pants.

Sunscreen SPF 8 protects twice as long as SPF 4 Most sunburns can be prevented with SPF 15 SPF of 8 protects twice as long as an SPF of 4. Most sunburns can be prevented by using a sunscreen with an SPF of 15.

Sensitive Skin SPF 30 If you have sensitive skin that burns easily, use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.

Sunscreen Notes Apply and Re-apply. Apply in generous amounts & in layers. Activities such as sweating and swimming degrade its effectiveness. Sunscreens are not waterproof. Words sunblock, waterproof, and all day protection are no longer used. People seldom apply enough sunscreen or rarely reapply it. Sunscreen should be applied in generous amounts in layers and reapplied after being exposed. Activities such as sweating and swimming degrade its effectiveness. Sunscreens are not waterproof. The use of the words sunblock, waterproof, and all day protection will no longer be used.

Drug Sensitivity Some drugs such as antibiotics, antipsoriatics (prescribed for skin conditions) and acne medicines can cause sun sensitivity.

Tanning Salons "Tan indoors with absolutely no harmful side effects" "No burning, no drying, and no sun damage" "Unlike the sun, indoor tanning will not cause skin cancer or skin aging“ True or False??

False Tanning indoors damages your skin. The tanners emit ultraviolet rays. Tanning occurs when the skin produces additional pigment to protect itself from ultraviolet rays. Overexposure can cause eye injury, premature wrinkling, and light-induced skin rashes. Chances of developing skin cancer increase. Tanning indoors damages your skin. That’s because indoor tanning devices emit ultraviolet rays. Tanning occurs when the skin produces additional pigment (coloring) to protect itself against burn from ultraviolet rays. Overexposure to these rays can cause eye injury, premature wrinkling of the skin, and light-induced skin rashes, and can increase your chances of developing skin cancer.

Other False Claims "You can achieve a deep year-round tan with gentle, comfortable, and safe UVA light.“ "No harsh glare, so no goggles or eye shades are necessary.“ "Tan year round without the harmful side effects often associated with natural sunlight."

Be Wise! Sun Wise!

The Dow Chemical Company Foundation This Children's Environmental Health presentation was made possible through a grant from The Dow Chemical Company Foundation

Credits Charles Lichon, R.S., M.P.H., Creator of Children’s EH Program, Midland County Health Department (CHD) Michigan Nancy Atwood, M.S., Midland CHD (MI) Sanitarian Christine Rogers, Meth Response Coordinator, Kalamazoo CHD, MI Robert Wolfe, R.S., Midland CHD (MI) Sanitarian John Demerjian and Linda Van Orden, Wayne CHD, MI, Body Art National Environmental Health Association (NEHA.org) for website storage and oversight. NOTE: Permission to use this and all Children’s EH Power Point presentations is granted thru NEHA, however, all grant and credit notices and informational slides must be used during each presentation.

Other presentations include: Body Art Careers in Environmental Health Food Safe Issues Household Hazardous Waste Meth and Teens Recreational Water Sun Wise Contact NEHA.org for more information

For more Information about this presentation, contact: (Local Health Dept Name here)