Summer is underway, and as many people spend time outside, it’s easy to forget about protecting your skin. Sun damage can result in brown spots, wrinkles, and sunburns, and if you don’t protect your skin, the risk for skin cancer increases. Do Americans take sun safety seriously? Not so much, according to a new study from Advanced Dermatology.
Report Highlights
- More than 1 in 10 don’t wear sunscreen at all
- 2 in 5 men (39%) rarely or never use sunscreen on their body, compared to 28% of women
- 44% of women say they use sunscreen on their face most or all of the time, compared to just 15% of men
- 72% have never been checked for skin cancer by a doctor
More than 1 in 3 (34%) Americans say they’ve been sunburnt in the last year. What body parts do Americans burn the most? 53% report getting sunburnt on their shoulders and back. Reoccurring sunburns can cause concern, and 54% of Americans are concerned about getting skin cancer. Yet of those concerned, 87% say they don’t get annual skin cancer screenings.
Don’t Forget Your Sunscreen
Only 31% of Americans say they wear sunscreen year-round. Most people (58%) report only wearing sunscreen during the summer months, and 52% say they only wear sunscreen while doing certain activities on sunny days. Despite the lack of sunshine on cloudy days, experts still recommend wearing sunscreen as ultraviolet (UV) rays can penetrate clouds. However, 61% of Americans say they never wear sunscreen on partly cloudy or cloudy days.
What are Sun Blisters?
Sun blisters are a sign of severe sunburn and are linked to melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. MedStar Health dermatologists offer the following facts and recommendations about sun blisters.
Sun Blister Facts
- Blisters contain a liquid called serum that comes from surrounding tissues
- Sun blisters can happen on any exposed area of skin
- Often blisters on the lips after sun exposure are a reactivation of the herpes simplex virus, which is very common.
- The deeper the blister, the more serious the damage, which can last days or weeks, depending on the severity.
- Discoloration from a sun blister can last for weeks or even months.
Sun Blister First Aid Tips
- Don’t pop or open a blister.
- The top skin is a good natural bandage and can prevent infection
- Apply cool compresses or cool water/bath
- Do not apply ice directly, which can irritate the skin
- Topical anesthetic medications can be more irritating than helpful
- Apply fragrance-free cream to blisters for relief
- Topical steroids do NOT help sun blisters
- Oral anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen can be helpful if determined to be safe by your doctor.
When to call the doctor for sun blisters
- If infection is a concern. Pus or expanding redness can indicate a serious infection.
- If blisters are widespread
- Fevers
- Chills
- Passing out or feeling lightheaded
So, if you’ve been out in the sun, make sure you stay protected!
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