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Skin cancer risk strength of the spring sun mostly underestimated
After the long winter months, it is finally warm enough to spend more and longer outdoors. Soaking up the sun ensures good mood and health. But beware: the spring sun is all too often underestimated. Especially children should be protected from UV radiation.
Spring sunshine is often underestimated
After the long winter months, the sunny days of recent weeks attract more and more people to the outdoors. Sun lovers should be careful. 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, remind dermatologists. The Commercial Health Insurance (KKH) points out, especially to protect children from the UV rays of the sun.
After the long winter months, the warmer weather invites you to spend time outdoors. But beware: the spring sun is often underestimated. It threatens a sunburn. (Image: Romolo Tavani / fotolia.com) Face is constantly exposed to UV rays
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 urge caution.
"Even in spring, the sun has its dark side," said Helmut Rutz of the KKH service team in Mannheim, according to a press release by the health insurance. While our bodies are still protected by clothing due to the generally cooler temperatures, our face is constantly exposed to the UV rays of sunlight. When a fresh wind blows, we do not notice how intense the sun is already shining. In addition, our skin is not tanned and sensitive after the long winter break. Therefore, the risk of getting sunburn is high in spring according to KKH.
Every sunburn increases the risk of skin cancer
Sunburn is a skin burn of the first or second degree. "Every sunburn should be avoided, because it increases the risk of skin cancer," says Helmut Rutz. And the skin cancer rate is increasing more and more rapidly. This is also shown by KKH data. Accordingly, the number of outpatient treatments of insured persons increased by 133 percent between 2009 and 2014 alone for light skin cancers.
The bright skin cancer is mainly caused by UV light and therefore often forms on the face. According to the German Cancer Society, up to 200,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. The German Cancer Aid expects an even higher number of 234,000 new cases.
Think of adequate sunscreen
Health experts advise protection from the sun on a small scale. As a general rule, the brighter the skin type, the shorter the unprotected stay in the sun should be. People with fair complexion, light hair and eyes develop sunburn faster than people with darker complexions. For all skin types after the winter months crucial for the prevention of skin cancer: in good time before going outdoors Apply sunscreen with a high SPF to the face and other free body parts such as nose, ears and neck.
Dermatologists say you should not save creaming. If you spend more time outdoors, you should apply sunscreen repeatedly.
Especially children have to be protected
Especially children are to be protected from the UV rays of the sun. In children's skin, especially baby skin, the skin's own protection against UV light in the first years of life is not fully developed. Therefore, the dangerous sunbeams can more easily penetrate the skin and cause skin diseases. The offspring therefore need sunscreen with a higher sun protection factor (from SPF 30). "Clothing offers additional protection, especially a sunhat," explains Helmut Rutz. "And also make sure that your children are not exposed to direct sunlight while romping and playing."
The earlier skin cancer is detected and treated, the better. The costs for a skin cancer screening will be taken over from the 35th year of life every two years as a statutory reserve by the health insurance companies. Some funds subsidize the provision even for younger insured. The same applies to the KKH, which provides information on skin cancer screening on its website. (Ad)