Precautions necessary to avoid harmful effects of sun

MOSES LAKE — Summer, with long days filled with sunshine. It’s so tempting to just soak it up, but that might not be the best idea.

Too much sun, in any time of the year, can have consequences, including some that might not show up for years, and can last for years.

The Grant County Health District issued some tips that can help reduce the risk of consequences, like skin cancer, eye damage and premature aging of skin.

People who plan to be out in the sun should take some precautions, starting with sunblock applied to exposed skin. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends sunblock of SPF 15 or more. (The SPF indicates how well the sunblock protects against ultraviolet radiation.)

People shouldn’t skimp on sunblock. It should be applied liberally to all exposed skin, including the neck, hands and feet, nose, ears and lips.

The average adult or child needs about an ounce of sunscreen for each application.

Sunscreen doesn’t last forever. It should be reapplied every two to three hours. It’s not always waterproof, so it needs to be reapplied after going swimming, or if sweating.

People whose hair is getting a little thin or bald should apply sunscreen to exposed skin on the head, or wear a hat.

Sunscreen can’t do the job alone. People should stay in the shade and wear protective clothing. In the case of sun, protective clothing means long sleeve shirts and pants, along with hats with broad brims. Sun-protective clothing is available to buy, too.

Too much exposure to UV rays can cause skin cancer, which is the most common form of cancer in the U.S.

Everybody is at risk for skin cancer, but people should take extra precautions if they have blond, red, or light brown hair, pale skin, if they’ve been treated for skin cancer or if a family member has had skin cancer.

That bright, sunshiny day can cause problems for the eyes. Again, it’s the UV rays that are the culprit. They can cause damage to the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye, according to information from the Roski Eye Institute at the University of Southern California. Too much sun can contribute to cataracts. And skin cancer can go after the eyelids.

Sunglasses help block the UV rays if they’re the right kind. Sunglasses should have a UV 400 rating to be effective. The darkness of the lens doesn’t mean the glasses have the necessary UV protection. Price isn’t an indicator, either. People should consider wraparound sunglasses, which protect the entire eye socket.