Scott & White Health Plan

Summer Health and Safety
Tips To Enjoy A Texas Summer
by Gel Detrick, SWHP QI Coordinator

Another hot Texas summer is here! It's time to get out the shorts and tank tops, search for the sunglasses, and have a fun, safe summer. With a little forward thinking and preparation, you and your family can enjoy the summer months ahead. Sadly, more people visit the emergency room in the summer than any other time of the year. Sunburn, heat exhaustion and skin melanomas (skin cancer) can all be avoided or lessened with a little planning.

Overheating
It is easy to overheat in the summer. You get busy in the yard, forget to take a break, don't drink water, or drink too much alcohol. Watch for the signs as extreme cases can lead to a stroke or even death. Some signs are:

• Heavy sweating
• Muscle cramps
• Feeling faint
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Rapid pulse
• Headache

You can avoid heat exhaustion by:

• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Wear sunscreen (SPF 45 or higher) and reapply often
• Stay in the shade whenever possible

If you do get overheated, go inside if possible. Find some shade, drink cool (not ice cold) water. If you have to work outside, try to work in the early morning or late afternoon. If you get too much sun or even get sunburned, a quick remedy is to take a couple of Ibuprofen and apply hydrocortisone cream on the affected area. Be sure to wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days.

Sunscreen
Do you know when to put on sunscreen, or how strong the SPF should be? Do you know what SPF is? SPF or Sun Protection Factor lets us know how well sunscreen will block the sun's harmful rays. The American Cancer Society recommends using a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. If you get sunburned easily you may want to go with a sunscreen even higher. Be sure to reapply sunscreen often, especially if you go into water. A good rule of thumb is every two hours. Check the expiration date as some ingredients in sunscreen lose their effectiveness over time.

UVA and UVB rays
UVA rays are very powerful and can damage your skin even through your clothing. Too much exposure to UVA rays can cause wrinkles, age spots and weathered skin. Look for sunscreen that protects against ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation. UVA rays can cause premature aging and wrinkles. UVA ray skin damage may take time to appear and is especially damaging if you use a tanning bed. The American Cancer Society states that using tanning beds before the age of 30 increases your risk of skin cancer by 75%.

UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn and cause most skin cancers. UVB rays are stronger in the middle of the day. Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside and use it even on cloudy days. Reapply every two hours or after being in the water.

Sunglasses
Sunglasses can help protect against ultraviolet rays. When shopping for sunglasses, look for glasses that block 99-100% of ultraviolet rays.

Melanoma
According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma causes the most deaths of all skin cancers. There are some things you can do to reduce your risk of getting melanoma.

• Protect your skin by staying out of the sun during the hottest hours.
• Use sunscreen daily, with an SPF of 15 or higher.
• Cover up. Wear long sleeves, long pants and a hat with a wide brim.
• Don't forget your ears and neck when applying sunscreen.
• Avoid tanning beds or sun lamps. According to the American Cancer Association, long term use can cause premature aging.
• Check your skin regularly. Look for changes in any moles, whether they change shape or color.
• Check your family history; approximately 10% of people with melanoma have a family history of the disease.
• A common myth is that a tan protects against sunburn. If you don't tan easily, the time you take exposing your skin to the sun may do more harm than good.

It may take a few minutes each day to make sure your skin is protected. Like brushing your teeth, the benefits are well worth it in the long run! As Dr Rohack, medical director for system improvement has reminded his patients about Texas summers, "If the cattle are laying down in the shade, and you are outside in the heat fully exposed to the sun, then which animal has more common sense?"