Here comes the sun
MY BOSS AND MENTOR, Naz Rayani, used to say, “the greatest cause of skin cancer and eye damage arrives today and 6:30 a.m.” He was referring to the sunrise.
While this might be a bit dramatic, there is a lot of truth in his quote. While the sun warms us, makes flowers grow, and helps our bodies produce vitamin D, it can also cause skin problems. This is not to say that you should stay out of the sun completely. Our job, as pharmacists, is to worry about you – just be aware of all the pleasures and pains that summer sun can bring.
Sunlight is good for you. It helps your body make Vitamin D. Vitamin D has been in the news recently for its ability to help prevent certain forms of cancer. There is also evidence that it might play a role in preventing type 2 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. This important nutrient is essential for the proper development of strong teeth and bones.
People thought that vitamin D deficiency was a thing of the past after they started fortifying milk with this vitamin. But the more I read about vitamin D, the more I think everyone should take a little extra. Recently, I read one study that found that approximately 25 per cent of people who lived in Southern Arizona were considered to be vitamin D deficient. This is quite shocking because Arizona is considered to be in the ‘sun belt’.
I`m certain that most people are aware that too much sun exposure is a risk factor for developing skin cancer. This might be a good time to discuss if you have any skin spots you should show your doctor. The current medical acronym for skin melanoma is ABCDE. Watch for skin spots with Asymmetry, that is spots where one half does not look like the other half. Border irregularity are spots with ragged or blurred edges. If the skin spot has an odd Colour that is not uniform, it might be wise to show this to your doctor. An odd colour would be described as shades of tan or brown, or if there are hints of black, red, white or blue eveident. Watch for spots that have a
Diameter larger than six millimetres, about the size of a pencil eraser.
The most difficult sign to watch for is the Evolution of the area. Is there a change in size, shape or colour? Its a good idea to take a smartphone photo of the area alongside a small measuring ruler. This way, there will be a photo for later comparison. I don’t think a melanoma selfie is popular on social media, but perhaps there will be room for these in the future.
So what else should one think about when out in the sun? The first thing I always tell people is to wear proper sunglasses. Sunlight can play a role in the development of various eye disorders, including cataracts, cancer of the skin around the eyes, and may contribute to age-related macular degeneration. Whenever you are out in the sun, you should be wearing sunglasses, and especially, so should your children. My little one has been wearing sunglasses since she was six months old.
Some eye care experts believe that 50 per cent of our lifetime exposure to sunlight occurs before the age of 18. This makes sense; kids are constantly being told to go outside and play.
When choosing sunglasses, look for a pair that states that it blocks 100 per cent of both UV-A and UV-B light. Its very hard to find sunglasses in Canada that do not block both kinds of UV light. For maximum protection, look for the kind that wrap around; this will prevent light from getting in from the sides.
Basically, if you are outside and squinting, you should be wearing sunglasses. You don’t need to buy an expensive pair in order for them to be effective. More expensive sunglasses may be a little more fashionable or use better quality glass or plastic for the lenses. I am still using the same $30 pair of sunglasses that I bought at Mountain Equipment Co-op 10 years ago. To all the grandparents out there: if you can’t think of a good gift to give your little treasures, why not a pair of cool-looking sunglasses?
I still plan to enjoy the sun this summer, but I also plan to be safe about it. I’ll be wearing my big hat; I’ll stay in the shade when possible, and try to avoid being in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
I will wear my sunscreen with an SPF of 30, especially on my feet, the back of my hands, neck and tips of my ears. These are very common places to get sun burnt.
All this said, remember to get some sun exposure. It can keep your spirits up and help your body make vitamin D. Whenever you are in the sun, just remember to Slip, Slap,
Slop. Slip on your long sleeved Tshirt, slip into the shade, slap on your hat and slop on your sunscreen.