Extension Report

Baldwin County Extension Office

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Telephone (251) 937-7176 or

928-0860/943-5611 ext. 2222

FAX (251) 937-7285

Susan Wingard

County Extension Coordinator

May 4, 2010

Most of us have been enjoying the sunny days we have had lately.   At this time of year it is important to remember to protect our skin.  Here are tips for sun protection:

• Limit time in the midday sun as much as possible.  The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

• Wear sunglasses that block 99-100 percent of UV radiation.  Sunglasses that provide protection for UVA and UVB will greatly reduce sun exposure that can lead to cataracts and other eye damage.

• Wear a hat.  A hat with a wide brim offers good sun protection for your eyes, ears, face, and the back of your neck – areas particularly prone to overexposure to the sun.

• Seek shade.  Staying under cover is one of the best ways to protect you from the sun. 

• Watch for the UV index.  The Environmental Protection Agency Website http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html  has a place for you to type in your zip code and find out the UV index for your area.

• Protect other areas of your body with clothing during prolonged periods in the sun.  Tightly woven, loose-fitting clothes are best for protection of exposed skin.

• Avoid sunlamps.  The light source from sunlamps damages the skin and unprotected eyes.

• Always use a sunscreen when outside.  A sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher blocks most harmful UV radiation.  Apply sunscreen to exposed skin 30 minutes before going outdoors. Reapply every two hours when outdoors, even on cloudy days.  Read the sunscreen label and directions before applying sunscreen to babies less than 6 months old.  Your baby’s best defense against sunburn is avoiding direct sunlight.

    Why should you bother with sun protection?  Avoiding sunburn is the single most important health education issue for skin cancer.  Infants and children have the most delicate skin and the most years ahead of them to receive cumulative damage.

   One in every five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.  Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer; also is one of the fastest growing types of cancer in the United States.  Melanoma can spread to other parts of the body quickly, but when detected in its earliest stages it is almost always curable. However, if it is not caught early, melanoma may be fatal.

    Melanoma begins as an uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells in the skin.  This growth leads to the formation of dark-pigmented malignant moles or tumors called melanomas.  Melanomas can appear suddenly without warning but also can develop from or near a mole.  For this reason, it is important to know the location and appearance of moles on the body so any change will be noticed.  Melanomas are found most frequently on the upper backs of men and women and the legs of women, but they can occur anywhere on the body.  If you notice any moles or spots changing, growing or bleeding, schedule an appointment to get it checked.  The American Academy of Dermatology reminds us that it’s as easy as “ABC” to remember how you can identify a mole or lesion that needs attention of a dermatologist:

• Asymmetry (one half is unlike the other)
• Border (irregular, scalloped or poorly defined)
• Color (varies from one area to another)
• Diameter (the size of a pencil eraser or larger)
• Evolving (changing in size, shape or color)

   There are two primary types of nonmelanoma skin cancers; Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma.  Basal Cell carcinomas are tumors of the skin that usually appear as small, fleshy bumps or nodules on the head and neck but can occur on other skin areas as well.    Squamous Cell Carcinomas are tumors that might appear as nodules or as red, scaly patches.    These two nonmelanoma skin cancers have cure rates as high as 95 percent if detected and treated early.

Remember before heading out the door on a sunny day to protect your skin so you can relax and have fun!

Email address: swingard@aces.edu

Phone: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity educator and employer.