Bugs are a well-documented source of irritation and disease, but they aren’t the only things to watch out for during the summer months. The sun can also cause illness and injuries that can ruin your summer activities if you don’t take the right precautions.
(How Not to) Burn, Baby, Burn
Being outside in the sun too long without skin protection can cause sunburns and sun poisoning, which is described as a “super advanced sunburn,” a condition that can cause fever-like symptoms as well as itchy and irritable skin.
While Dr. Bridget Gruender, a family medicine physician and owner of Liberty Family Medicine, does not see many cases of extreme sunburn, she does see patients who have skin cancer due to long-term exposure to the sun. Those specific types of skin cancers include squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and the more aggressive type, melanoma.
“Continual sunburns or multiple sunburns, especially before the age of 20, can lead to increased skin cancer risks as you age,” Gruender warned. For optimal skin protection, apply sunscreen with at least 30 SPF, which blocks 97 percent of ultraviolet rays, every two hours. “If [the SPF] is too low, it’s not going to do enough to keep you protected,” she said.
Gruender also pointed out that there are two types of sunscreen — mineral and chemical — and that they work differently. Mineral-based sunscreens stay on the surface of the skin, physically blocking the sun’s rays from reaching it. Chemical-based sunscreens are absorbed into the skin, where they, in turn, absorb UV light and prompt it to undergo a chemical reaction that wards off skin damage.
While mineral sunscreen may be more comfortable for people with sensitive skin, those with darker skin tones may find its thicker, whiter formula difficult to blend in. As both chemical and mineral sunscreens are effective skin protectors, you can choose whichever variety suits your skin type best.
Sporting the right clothes can also help protect you from the sun and heat. It is best to wear light, loose clothing as well as some sort of sun hat and sunglasses. Wide-brimmed hats and long-sleeved sun shirts have the added advantage of minimizing the amount of sunscreen you’ll need.
Gruender said that even though long exposure to the sun can cause damage, the sun “actually has some benefits,” such as producing vitamin D. “But we do have to be really careful with sun exposure,” she added, noting that it’s best to avoid being outside during peak sun hours, including the period from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Keeping Your Cool
Heat exhaustion is another summer-related issue that can occur with prolonged exposure to extreme heat. Symptoms include feeling faint or dizzy, excessive sweating, a rapid pulse, and — somewhat ironically — chilled, clammy skin. Nausea, vomiting, and muscle cramps are additional symptoms.
Left untreated, heat exhaustion can become more serious, potentially leading to heatstroke. That sun-related danger must be taken seriously, said Austin Krohn, public information specialist for the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services.
“The telltale sign [of heatstroke] is that you’ve stopped sweating, but you are still experiencing symptoms,” he explained, noting that these include a massive headache, vomiting, and a rapid, strong pulse. A heatstroke victim may have a body temperature of over 103 degrees and can lose consciousness. Always call 911 to seek immediate medical attention if someone is displaying symptoms of heatstroke.
“It’s really the super, super serious heat-related illness we are concerned with in the summer months,” Krohn said. To avoid heat- and sun-related injuries and illnesses, make sure to take frequent breaks in a cooler, shaded area or an air-conditioned indoor location. It is also important to stay hydrated.
“It really is about pacing yourself in the summer months, knowing what you can handle, and making sure you are staying safe,” added Krohn. To help residents do that, Columbia has several cooling centers throughout the city. Most are city-owned, including the Activity and Recreation Center (ARC), Columbia City Hall, and the city/county health department. Other designated cooling centers include the Columbia Public Library and the Salvation Army Harbor House.
While many Columbians look forward to the carefree days of summer, Missouri’s torrid July and August temps can pose real dangers. Luckily, taking the proper precautions should enable you to safely have your fun in sun.
“A lot of [these risks] are preventable,” Krohn said. “You can do things to either mitigate the risk of these things happening or stop them all together.”
