Seniors should do without sunbathing

Sunbathing is more dangerous for older people than for younger people

03/27/2014

Sunbeams lift the mood and are enjoyed in low dose good for the body and well-being. But too much ultraviolet radiation can quickly become harmful to health and cause sunburn and skin cancer among others. Older people are far more at risk than younger people, as they have already experienced significantly more hours of sunshine during their lifetime. Accordingly, especially seniors should be particularly careful with the sun.

Vital energy source and important for the psyche
Sunlight is a vital energy source on the one hand, because it enables the production of vitamin D and is therefore important for bones and teeth, it also lowers blood pressure and boosts the immune system. In addition, a healthy tan of the skin fulfills an important protective function, since the sunlight causes a thickening of the cornea (hyperkeratosis), which allows a skin-own sun protection. In addition, the sun is also very important for mental well-being, because the UV light activates the body's own happiness hormones and thus ensures a good mood.

Excessive UV light poses numerous health risks
However, it is important to always have the right dose - because on the other hand, excess sunlight can quickly become dangerous and cause serious damage to your health. Sunburn is usually still the smallest problem, just as quickly it can come through the UV-B and UV-A rays but also skin cancer or eye damage. In addition, there is the danger of the resulting heat, through which the body must increasingly produce sweat for cooling purposes and is thus quickly overloaded. This can lead not only to fluid and salt loss, but also to a heat collapse with circulatory weakness, dizziness or even fainting. A heat stroke is also possible, which in turn can lead to fever, chills and unconsciousness.

Light damaged skin often in seniors
Sun should therefore generally be enjoyed only in moderation, especially the elderly should be extra careful here. The reason: Compared to younger people, your body has absorbed significantly more UV light over the years and is thus already more preoccupied. „We clearly see light-damaged skin in old age“, said the dermatologist Hanspeter Prieur to the news agency „dpa“. However, according to experts, this is far more problematic today than it used to be, because „Hats have gone out of fashion, seniors travel much more often to the south.“ The consequence is a so-called „Summation effect“, By this is meant that these individual aspects in sum can become a serious health risk.

Avoid sunbathing and avoid sunburn
Accordingly, older people should avoid sunbathing as much as possible and absolutely avoid sunburn, according to the dermatologist. How long one can stay in the sun in individual cases, there would be no firm rule, but depending among other things on the skin type and the strength of the UV radiation. Therefore, it is important to be generally careful and also to pay attention to whether any medications are taken, which increase the photosensitivity even more. These include a number of medicines, such as various antidepressants, antihistamines, antimalarials or beta-blockers - therefore, especially older people should consult their doctor or pharmacist and carefully read the leaflet. (No)