How to Win the Battle of the Sun vs. the Skin

Mobility Forum, May/Jun 2005 by Meintel, Julie

Being out in the warm sunlight, even if the temperature isn't all that warm, just makes you feel good; there's nothing like a bright sunny day to lift your spirits. In fact, when you get a little bit of color from the sun, people might even comment on how tanned and healthy you look. People tend to associate a tanned, rosy complexion with good health. But hold on just a minute.

The sun, like most things, is best enjoyed in moderation, and with the knowledge of what happens when you get too much of a good thing. Getting too much sun, unprotected, can lead to painful sunburn, heatstroke, and sunstroke in the relative short term, and to skin cancer in the long term.

Most of us, at one time or another, have probably endured a sunburn. It happens when you stay a little too long in the sun without shade or sunscreen protection. First degree burns are common-they cause your skin to turn red and tender to the touch. Those burns will heal in a few days, and your top layer of skin might peel a bit. The best way to treat this type of burn is with cool baths to relieve the stinging sensation, and with over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams. Another popular sunburn treatment is aloe vera gel. Taking aspirin by mouth may slow down the early development of sunburn.

Second degree burns are more painful, and blisters will appear on the skin. It can be considered a medical emergency if a large area of the body is blistered. Combine a second degree burn with a headache, chills or a fever, and you need medical attention immediately. As bad and as painful as a sunburn can be, it can get worse.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), skin cancer is the single most common type of cancer, with more than a million cases diagnosed each year. In addition, the number of skin cancer cases has been rising steadily for the last 30 years.

There are two types of skin cancers-melanoma and nonmelanoma. Of the two, non-melanomas are more common and are less likely to be deadly. They also rarely spread to other areas of the body. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma fall under the heading of non-melanomas, and between them, they comprise about 95% of all skin cancers.

Melanomas, on the other hand, are less common but more serious. About 75% of skin cancer deaths are attributed to melanomas. Both types of cancers are nearly always curable in the early stages, but left untreated, melanomas can spread to other areas of the body and can be very difficult to manage.

Most skin cancers come from spending too much time in the sun. But there are other sources of ultraviolet rays that cause cancer too; most notably, tanning beds. Some people seem to think that they are safer than being outside in the sun, but that is just not true. It's not the sun itself that is dangerous; it's the ultraviolet light that burns your skin.

There are two main types of ultraviolet (UV) rays that reach the earth from the sun: UVB and UVA. UVB rays damage the DNA of skin cells, which is the beginning of cancer. Skin cancer occurs when the damage from UVB radiation negatively affects the DNA of genes that control the growth of new skin cells. Recent research indicates that UVA radiation also contributes to the development of skin cancer. The bottom line is this-there are no safe UV rays. No one has zero risk for skin cancer.

UV rays, in addition to causing skin cancer, age the skin prematurely, giving the skin a tough, leathery look. They cause wrinkling and discoloration of the skin, and they also cause the skin to lose elasticity. These side effects are not necessarily as harmful, but they are still negative, nonetheless. There is an entire multimillion-dollar industry dedicated to creating products that will supposedly make you look younger; clearly, many people find premature aging and wrinkling to be a negative thing!

So how do you know if you are at risk for skin cancer, or if you have it already? Studies indicate that repeated sunburns significantly raise a person's risk of developing melanoma, especially if those burns happened during childhood, since there is ample opportunity for more skin damage to take place over the course of time. Particularly fair-skin, freckles, a tendency to burn easily, and blond or red hair all indicate a higher risk level for skin cancer. In addition, if you have a family history of skin cancer, work outdoors, or live in a sunny climate, your chances of getting skin cancer have just increased.

The most common symptom or sign of skin cancer is a change in your skin's appearance. It's important to be aware of what your skin and any marks, freckles or moles look like, so you will know if they change. Basal cell cancers may appear as a small, smooth, pearly or waxy bump on the face, ears, or neck. It can also show up as a flat pink, red or brown colored spot on the trunk, arms or legs. Squamous cell cancers appear as a hard red nodule, or a rough scaly flat lesion that might itch, bleed and become crusty.

Either type of cancer would most likely appear on the areas of the body that are routinely exposed to the sun, but be advised, they can show up anywhere.