Know your ABCDs. You may have lots of little spots on your skin, possibly because you got too much sun some years ago. Most of them are harmless, but watch out for these warning signs: Asymmetry – a mole that’s not round; Border – The border is irregular with jagged edges, not smooth; Colour – the colour can be uneven or unusual colours; Diameter – it’s larger than the width of a pea or a pencil eraser. Show your doctor any skin blemish that has any of these characteristics.
It’s important to know your skin and the signs of skin cancer. If you notice any unusual moles or marks on your skin, watch them closely. The most common skin cancers (basal and squamous cell) can look like a small, skin-coloured or red knob. The more dangerous melanoma usually begins as a mole that seems to change colour or size.
Protect them while they’re young
Skin cancer is usually caused by the skin’s exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. The more sun you’re exposed to over your lifetime, the higher your risk of developing cancer.
It’s estimated that up to 80 percent of a person’s total exposure to the sun happens before 18 years of age. Because of this, it’s good to teach children healthy sun habits from the start. One serious sunburn in childhood can increase future cancer risk by as much as 50 percent.
Babies under six months old are especially susceptible to the glare of sunshine and should be kept out of the sun completely. They’re too young for sunscreen, so keep the baby in the shade and covered as much as possible. Don’t forget that the sun can reflect off shiny surfaces and swimming pools, so keep babies well shaded from all directions at all times.
No such thing as a healthy tan
There is a common myth that if a person tans well, they’re protected from these harmful rays. Not true! While it is true that fair-haired, blue-eyed people are most prone to burning, and therefore are more susceptible to the sun’s rays, even “healthy” tans are really just damage control – they’re your body’s way of trying to protect itself from the sun. But, the damage is already done and can’t be reversed. Years of sun worshipping, be it outside or in a tanning salon, will eventually show up later on in life as wrinkles, poor skin elasticity, and possibly skin cancer.
The sun, however, is also very important to our health. It provides us with vitamin D (which we need for our bones), and it can lift our spirits. In fact, there’s a form of depression called seasonal affective disorder (or SAD) that can happen when there’s more darkness than daylight – those experiencing SAD feel “down” during the winter months and much better when summer comes. So, staying holed up deep inside isn’t the way to go either.
Moderation and good sense is key. The goal is to have fun outside, but to stay safe at the same time:
- Cover up when possible
- Wear a hat
- Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before you go out, even if the sun doesn’t seem particularly strong or is cloudy out.
- Avoid the sun when it’s at its strongest: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- If you are applying other products to the skin, double check with your pharmacist about which product to use first. For example, insect repellents should be applied at least 15 minutes after applying sunscreen.
- If you use prescription medications, such as certain skin creams or blood pressure medications, check to see if they can make you more sensitive to the sun. If you’re not sure, ask your pharmacist.
Treating a sunburn
- Apply cool, wet compresses for 24 to 48 hours
- Don’t apply skin creams within the first two days
- Drink a lot of water to keep from feeling dehydrated
- You can use over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen if there is some minor pain or discomfort due to the burn.
Very severe burns, the kind that produce blisters, are often treated in clinics with dressings. If you’re not sure if your burn is severe, have it checked. Do not break burn blisters yourself, as this can lead to a skin infection if not properly treated.
