Skin cancer risk Parents should protect themselves and their children from the spring sun

Lower UV protection mechanisms of the skin: Think of sun protection in spring

When things finally get warmer after the long winter months, most people barely keep them indoors. It's so nice to go for a walk in sunny weather or to sit in front of the café with a delicious drink. But beware: the sun in spring can sometimes be just as intense as in midsummer. In addition, the UV protective mechanisms of the skin are not yet well developed. Parents should protect themselves and, above all, their children.

Spring sunshine is often underestimated

After the long winter months, there is nothing better than to recharge your batteries outdoors. However, one should exercise caution. Especially on the first beautiful days of the year, the power of the sun is easily underestimated, it threatens a sunburn. And this increases the risk of developing cancer. Every sunburn is added to your own skin account, dermatologists say. Especially in children should be thought of sufficient sun protection.

Although it is wonderful to finally be outdoors after the long winter months, the spring sun should not be underestimated. Since the UV protection mechanisms of the skin are not yet so well developed, special attention should be paid in the spring to adequate sun protection. (Image: Romolo Tavani / fotolia.com)

Sun can be as intense in spring as in midsummer

Whether on the balcony, in the sidewalk café or during a bike ride: Finally you can let yourself be pampered by the warming, soothing rays of the spring sunshine.

The sun's ultraviolet rays are not only important for our mental well-being, but also help to create the vital vitamin D, strengthen our immune system, control hormone balance, and stimulate our metabolism.

Health experts caution caution, because too much sun causes skin cancer.

"In spring, the sun is just as intense on some days as it is in mid-summer," explains Dr. med. Frank Meiß from the University Hospital Freiburg in a communication.

"In addition, the UV-protection mechanisms of the skin are formed by the sun-poor winter days only to a reduced extent," said the dermatologist.

"Therefore, the skin should be creamed in spring with a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30, if you stay outdoors for a long time."

UV radiation is carcinogenic

In Germany, around 21,200 people a year contract new black skin cancer, malignant melanoma. As many as 120,000 people suffer from white skin cancer each year for the first time.

While the black skin cancer is very aggressive and can also be fatal, the white skin cancer is usually benign when diagnosed in a timely manner.

"UV radiation or ultraviolet radiation is clearly carcinogenic. This applies both to the ultraviolet components of solar radiation and to the sun-tanning UV light in solariums, "explains Dr. med. Meiß.

The UV radiation is strong enough to sustainably damage the genetic material, the DNA. Smaller changes to the DNA are repaired by the body itself.

If it comes to sun protection due to lack of sun protection, especially in childhood and youth, the damaged cells can develop into tumors in the long term. "This often happens before a visible sunburn occurs," says the doctor.

Think of adequate sunscreen

Health experts advise protection from the sun on a small scale. Basically, you should not save creams. If you spend more time outdoors, you should apply sunscreen repeatedly.

The sunscreen must be renewed several times depending on the skin type and leisure behavior, such as bathing and heavy sweating. Only then does he act accordingly.

"But the repeated creaming does not extend the skin's own protection time," explains the dermatologist. "The recommended protection time is only once a day and this should only be exploited to two-thirds."

An example is given in the Communication of the University of Freiburg: The self-protection of the skin of type II, blond hair and blue eyes, lasts ten to 20 minutes and increases 30 times to a total of five or ten by applying SPF 30 hours.

However, experts recommend spending a maximum of two-thirds of that time in the sun. For type II, the stay in the sun then reduces to three to a maximum of six hours.

Protection of the sensitive child skin

The skin of infants and children is particularly at risk because the skin has not yet formed its own protection.

"Infants are not allowed in the direct sun. In order to protect the sensitive skin of children, in addition to the sunscreen, special UV protective clothing and a sun hat are also useful. Shade seats should therefore always be preferred and the midday sun better avoided for playing games, "Dr. Meiß.

Dr. also sees this. Utta Petzold, dermatologist at the health insurance company Barmer similar: "Sunscreen can protect against sunburn, but is not a free ticket. It is more important to adapt his leisure time activities of the year and time of day and the UV exposure, "said the doctor in a message.

A walk in the morning in the spring is usually harmless.

Vitamin D formation despite sunscreen

Sunlight is even very important because it provides the body with the largest share of vital vitamin D through the skin.

"The fear that applying sunscreen prevents the body from producing enough vitamin D is unfounded," explains Dr. Meiß.

"In most people, short UV exposure times are sufficient for sufficient vitamin D production," says the dermatologist.

According to Barmer, even with cloudy skies enough UV radiation reaches the skin. (Ad)