Skin health Sun safety
Checking your skin for moles
After being in the sun it’s a good idea to check your moles to make sure they’re not developing into melanomas. According to the BAD, here are a few of the signs that might suggest you have a problem with a mole:
Asymmetry The two halves of the mole may differ in their shape and not match.
Border The outside edges of the mole or area may be blurred and sometimes snow notches or look ragged.
Colour This may be uneven and patchy. Notice new colours appearing. Different shades of black, brown, pink and even purple may be seen.
Diameter Melanomas will progressively change. If you see any mole or mole-like mark getting bigger over a period of weeks to months, tell your doctor.
The shadow rule
According to Cancer Research UK, one way to work out when the sun is strong is to use the shadow rule. It’s simple to use, and works wherever you are. Here’s what you should do:
1. Stand in sunlight and look at your shadow. 2. Notice how tall your shadow is.
3. If your shadow is shorter than your height, the sun’s UV rays are strong. That means you’re more likely to burn and should take steps to protect your skin or stay in the shade.
>
Stay out of strong sunshine In the UK, the sun is strongest between 11am and 3pm from March to October. During these times, try to spend as much time in the shade as possible. If you can’t stay in the shade, cover up with protective loose-fitting clothing, including a sun hat, and apply the appropriate sunscreen product to any uncovered areas. Take extra care with children during these hours too, and make sure they are fully protected. If you’re not sure when you should stay out
of the sun, learn the shadow rule, which applies in any part of the world (see above for more details).
Look after your eyes When you’re out and about in the sunshine, remember to use proper eye protection to keep your eyes safe from the effects of UV rays. According to the NHS a day at the beach without proper eye protection can cause a temporary but painful burn to the surface of your eyes, similar to sunburn. Reflected sunlight from sand and water – as
well as snow and concrete – can be particularly harmful.
10 All About health
Expert Look out for change, and if in doubt, get it checked out by your doctor. You should tell your doctor about any changes to your moles or skin, even if they’re not the same as described above.
Look for sunglasses with the British Standards kitemark or CE
mark, which shows they offer a safe level of protection against harmful UV light.
Deal with sunburn quickly If you find your skin is burning, get out of the sun as quickly as you can. If your sunburn is mild, you can treat it yourself by cooling your skin (have a cold bath or shower, for instance) and drinking plenty of fluids to keep you cool and prevent dehydration. Keep the affected area covered until it has healed completely. The NHS also recommends using lotions containing aloe vera to
soothe your skin, plus you can take over-the-counter painkillers if your sunburn is painful (ask your pharmacist for advice). If you feel unwell or you’re worried about your sunburn, speak to
your local pharmacist or contact your GP. To test how much you know about keeping you skin safe in the sun, take our quiz on p36.
Your local Careway pharmacist can give you plenty of advice about keeping your skin healthy. Find your nearest Careway pharmacy at
www.careway.co.uk/find-a-pharmacy
Healthy skin There’s loads more news and advice designed to help you look after your skin this summer at
www.careway.co.uk/ health-zone/ healthy-skin
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
