June 2018

Sunburn
Undoubtedly, sunburn is the major concern for those
enjoying our summer weather. Here are a few basic facts
to know: Sunburn is caused by excessive exposure to both
UVA and UVB rays. The difference is that UVA burns deeper
with more intensity, while UVB causes mostly superficial
burns. The big misconception is that you are safer from
a burn on overcast or hazy days. UV rays can penetrate
through any cloud coverage. There are also three levels of
sunburn: the first is mild and most often can be treated at
home. Adding to the damage and pain from sunburn is the
threat of melanoma, which may cause skin cancer.
important to put sunscreen on your children, as their skin is
more sensitive to burning.
Here are two tips from Northwest Medical
Center:
Prevention
Make sure children wear protective equipment when riding
bicycles, skateboards, scooters, and other wheeled objects.
Keep children away from areas such as stagnant water that
can breed mosquitoes and other harmful insects.
Dr. Angelo Ayar from Florida Dermatology offers these
suggestions for your protection:
1. Stay covered as much as possible, using clothing with UV
protection whenever possible.
2. Use plenty of sunscreen on all exposed parts of your body
and make sure it has an SPF level of 30 or more, is water
resistant, has zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide whenever
possible. Stay hydrated and aware of how your body is
reacting to the sun.
Beach and Pool Safety
This applies mainly to parents with young children and those
who might venture out into the ocean. There are rip currents
and undertows in the ocean. Rip currents are akin to fastmoving
rivers of water in the ocean, while undertow is what
happens when a wave recedes from the shore. If caught in
a rip current, remain calm, float or swim parallel to the shore,
and slowly work your way back to shore.
Then there are jellyfish. The common variety will only cause
mild discomfort, while others such as the Portuguese and
box jellyfish can cause extreme pain and in some cases
death. The best remedy is to seek medical attention as soon
as possible.
When it comes to pools, be smart. If you have very young
children, the best safety feature is keeping a constant eye
on them. Make sure they always wear a floatation device,
and have some sort of barrier around the pool. It’s extremely
Our Four-Legged Family Members
Last but not least, are the family pets. Dr. Kelly Saporito
of CoCo Park Animal Hospital gives this advice: Whatever
works for you will work for your dog. They can get a sunburn,
heat stroke, sunburn burns on their pads, and become
dehydrated. Therefore, make sure they are never locked
in your car for any length of time, even with the windows
down. Apply a waterproof sunscreen to all parts, especially
the nose, ears, mouth, and back. Test the sidewalk or beach
with your hand for 30 seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too
hot for the dog. The best time to walk them is early morning
or late afternoon. Above all, make sure they get plenty of
water.
Here’s the bottom line for summer safety and summer fun:
Be smart and use common sense, keep hydrated, wear
sensible, protective clothing, always wear sunscreen, be
aware of your body, and don’t overdo anything in the hot,
humid weather. This is paradise … enjoy! P
the PARKLANDER 67