How to protect yourself from the sun in summer. infographics

The sun’s rays can benefit the body, but excessive tanning and improper self-care in the summer can cause irreparable harm to human health. URA.RU tells why the sun is dangerous and how to protect yourself from unpleasant consequences in sunny weather.

Why is the sun dangerous?

The sun’s rays, if not properly protected from their negative effects, can cause the development of almost all types of skin cancer, Rospotrebnadzor warns. Ultra-violet rays accelerate the aging process of the skin, and the abuse of the sun leads to the depletion of its protective mechanisms. The skin becomes rough, becomes dense, dries out and becomes covered with wrinkles, the department noted.

How to sunbathe

Frequent unprotected tanning and sunburn can cause permanent damage to health and lead to the development of skin cancer later in life. Therefore, you need to know how you can protect yourself on a sunny day. Rospotrebnadzor calls for the following recommendations:

• Wear a tanning product with a protection grade that matches your skin type. And do not forget that the product must be reapplied every two hours.
• Go out into the sun only in the morning and evening hours. During these periods, the sun is less active.
• Sit on sunbeds, not on sand or rocks.
• Before going to the beach, do not use deodorants, perfumes, cologne. Some components of perfumes cause chemical burns.
• While under the sun, drink water regularly. In such conditions, the body loses moisture very quickly.
• Do not sunbathe on an empty stomach and immediately after eating. It is best to do this an hour and a half after eating.

The benefits of sun tanning

Being in the sun with precautions can be beneficial, says physiotherapist Irina Smolskaya. According to her, the positive impact of sunlight on the human body is enormous.

• Five minutes of exposure to ultraviolet light promotes the formation of vitamin D in the skin. This normalizes phosphorus-calcium metabolism, strengthens muscles, and gives strength to bone tissue.
• Sun tanning helps to strengthen the immune system. Under the influence of ultraviolet rays, the content of antibodies in the blood increases significantly.
• Ultraviolet rays are used in the treatment of skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, helps rapid healing of wounds and postoperative scars;
• Sun tanning increases a man’s sex drive. Vitamin D, which is produced under the influence of ultraviolet rays, raises the level of the male hormone testosterone in the body.
• Sun tanning improves mental and physical performance and helps fight depression;
• Sun tanning activates many processes in the body: respiration, metabolism, blood circulation and the activity of the endocrine system.

Harm of sunburn

A person is exposed to the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays not only when sunbathing, but also while playing outdoor sports, gardening or just walking down the street, remind the Rospotrebnadzor. Keep in mind: the sun’s rays are reflected from snow (85%), sand (20%), water and grass (5%). Therefore, it is not enough just to be in the shade without using sunscreen.

• Excess sun leads to a weakening of the immune system, since all its forces are aimed at protecting the body from dangerous rays.
• For many people who have been exposed to excessive sun exposure for years, their skin ages quickly and becomes wrinkled. Hyperpigmentation may appear, as well as benign formations – seborrheic warts, keratomas.
• Prolonged and active exposure to ultraviolet rays can lead to photodermatitis. It manifests itself in the form of blisters, redness, itching and peeling of the skin after contact with the sun.
• Malignant formations on the skin are the most dangerous consequence of excessive exposure to the sun.
• Excessive exposure to sunlight reduces fertility in women, and in men can cause short-term infertility for several days.

At the same time, the department added, it is necessary to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during the hours of its greatest activity. Minimize your time outdoors from 12:00 to 16:00 during the hot season.

What to do if you overheat in the sun

The first symptoms of overheating by the sun may be unusual weakness, “blackout”, mild nausea and headache, thirst, sweating, increased heart rate and shortness of breath. Sometimes this happens, but it is important to know how to deal with it. The Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia told what to do in case of overheating.

• Before the arrival of the ambulance therapist, it is necessary to ensure that the body of the victim is cooled – he must be at rest in a horizontal position and in a cool, well-ventilated place;
• For cooling, it is recommended to apply cold compresses or an ice pack, a hypothermic package from a car enthusiast’s first aid kit to the head, neck, chest, or wipe the body with cool water.