Don’t stay in the sun for too long: sunstroke

If the sun is out again, there is a chance of sunstroke. Choose safe sunbathing and do not sunbathe for too long, no matter how tempting that may be. Also watch out for sunburn, heat stroke and heat stroke. Recognize the symptoms in time, because the consequences can be serious (skin cancer, for example). Of course it is nice to lie in the sun. Heatstroke is always lurking. Some important holiday tips for a sunny holiday and carefree sunbathing can be given. Choose responsible sunbathing, protect yourself against the sun and sunburn, pay attention to your skin type for good protection. There is also UV protective clothing for children, because children are extra vulnerable to UV radiation. So sunbathe responsibly, because sunburn can lead to skin cancer.

How to prevent heat stroke or heat stroke

• The sun as a source of power, sunstroke and later skin cancer are lurking
• What is ultraviolet radiation?
• What is UV radiation?
• What is UV-A for light?
• What is UV-B radiation?
• What skin type do I have?
• Protect children extra from the sun
• Holiday tips for a nice sunny holiday
• Symptoms of heatstroke or Heliosis
• What should I do in case of heatstroke, treatment?
• How do I prevent heatstroke?
• Finally, sunbathing, sunburn or sunstroke, what to do?

The sun as a source of power, sunstroke and later skin cancer are lurking

Every moment of the day the sun sprays its energy into the universe. About fifty percent of the radiation is infrared, forty-five percent is visible light and the remaining five percent consists of ultraviolet radiation. If you are warned about prolonged exposure of the skin to the sun, it concerns the dangers of ultraviolet light. You cannot see or feel this radiation, but it can be very harmful to the skin.

What is ultraviolet radiation?

There are three types of ultraviolet radiation. The distinction is related to the wavelength of the radiation:

• UV-A, this is long wave light.
• UV-B, this is short-wave light.
• UV-C with even shorter waves.

The UV-C radiation is the most powerful source of the three. However, because UV-C radiation is absorbed by the ozone layer, UV-A and UV-B are important to us.

What is UV radiation?

UV radiation has an anti-inflammatory effect if the skin is not exposed for too long. UV therapy can be applied by a dermatologist for eczema and psoriasis. If the dosage is incorrect, which partly depends on your skin type, UV-A and UV-B are harmful to very harmful to us. Therefore, when purchasing an anti-sunscreen product, make sure that it provides sufficient protection against UV-A and UV-B. For example, some products offer factor 10 for UV-B and much less or almost no protection against UV-A. Although UV-A is weaker than UV-B, it can lead to severe sunburn if you sunbathe for long periods of time.

What is UV-A for light?

UV-A penetrates into the dermis. The extent to which this occurs is highly dependent on the pigmentation of the epidermis. UV-A directly affects the expansion of blood vessels. A pronounced reaction is possible in the dermis that is associated with all kinds of skin aging processes, leading to deteriorated skin elasticity.

What is UV-B radiation?

Twenty percent of the UV-B radiation reaches the deeper parts of the epidermis. About ten percent penetrates into the dermis. UV-B rays damage the cells in the epidermis and lead to a stretching of blood vessels in the dermis.

What skin type do I have?

In general, six skin types are distinguished. Please note this when you go on holiday and sunbathe:

1. Skin type I: always burns, does not tan;
2. Skin type II: usually burns, tans a little;
3. Skin type III: rarely burns, tans well;
4. Skin type IV: never burns, turns a deep tan. Let’s say the Mediterranean type;
5. Skin type V: Asian type;
6. Skin type VI: black type.

Also take a look at the following table, with your characteristics, risk of burning and tanning and the recommended protection factor:

Skin type 1 and skin type 2 have the highest risks of sunburn, while those with skin types 3 and 4 can generally stay in the sun longer and have lower risks of skin cancer. If you pay attention to this, carefree sunbathing is possible. Choose a good sunscreen product.

Protect children extra from the sun

It is best to keep children under 12 months out of the sun. Apply sunscreen to other children well and avoid exposure to the bright sun for them between 12 noon and 3 p.m. Use at least a factor of 30 and remember that if they have been in the water you will have to apply again. Even if the sunscreen is waterproof, it will partly disappear, especially if you dry your children with a towel. Make sure you have enough clothes for your child. There is also additional UV radiation resistant clothing and swimwear on the market.

Holiday tips for a nice sunny holiday

Some types to prevent damage to the skin as much as possible:

• Carefully allow the skin to get used to the sun.
• Seek as much shade as possible between 12 noon and 3 p.m. The power of the sun is always strongest around noon. In (sub)tropical areas this period is often much longer.
• Due to the reflection of UV radiation through sand or water, UV can also penetrate into the shade. Therefore, always use sunscreen in the shade in sunny weather.
• Preferably wear a headgear and sufficient clothing in full sun. The clothing will block a lot of UV, but not all of it if you sunbathe for a long time. It remains wise to also rub the skin under the clothing.
• Apply well to exposed skin. Choose the protection factor that suits your skin.
• Wear sunglasses with a good UV filter.
• Ask for personal advice in a tanning salon.
• Check your skin regularly for any rash, itching or rapid burning. Consult a doctor if necessary. If it occurs, stay out of the sun.
• If necessary, seek advice from a dermatologist.
• It is best to keep children under 6 months completely out of the sun.
• Consult the sun guide and tips from the KWF cancer control. It is expected that because people are now exposed to a lot of sun, the problem of skin cancer will further increase.

Symptoms of heatstroke or Heliosis

With too much sun, sunstroke is always lurking. Heatstroke, or Heliosis, has the following main symptoms:

• A high fever;
• A heartbeat that is too fast;
• Too fast and often shallow breathing.

This can even lead to loss of consciousness and even a coma.

What should I do in case of heatstroke, treatment?

The best thing you can do in case of heatstroke or heat stroke is:

• Quickly cool down.
• Drink enough.
• If necessary, consult a doctor.

How do I prevent heat stroke?

It is of course best to avoid getting sunstroke. Tips to prevent heatstroke include:

• Do not immediately sit in the sun for a long time, but build up gradually.
• Cool down in time.
• Drink enough.
• Cover your head from the sun.
• Pay close attention to your children: preferably do not leave them in the sun and in excessive heat.
• Use a good sunscreen.

Finally, sunbathing, sunburn or sunstroke, what to do?

The sun is often pleasant and makes a day cheerful and pleasant. This does not apply to too much sun and too much heat, because then you are playing with your health. Heatstroke is lurking and the risk of skin cancer increases correspondingly with the amount of sun you are exposed to. So sunbathe responsibly.