20 Unexpected and Dangerous Effects of the Sun on Your Body
It’s now July, summer is in full swing, and you probably want to spend as much time soaking up the sun as possible. But being out in the sun is not without its risks. For most people, sunburns and skin cancer come to mind, but there are many lesser-known dangers. So before you rush off to that beachside vacation, take a look at these unexpected and dangerous effects of the sun.
Careful with those citrus cocktails
Who doesn’t love an ice-cold margarita or lemonade in the sun? But did you know that you can get chemical burns when UV light comes into contact with the oil from certain fruits, especially lemons and limes? This painful condition, called phytophotodermatitis, can be easily avoided. Just make sure you wash off any citrus juice from your arms and hands.
Protect your eyes!
Your eyes are vulnerable to the sun’s effects in more ways than you may think. The lighter your eye colour, the more at risk you are of developing skin cancer around your eyes. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, eyelid skin cancer acｃounts for between 5% and 10% of all skin cancers. Sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection are essential, but also make sure they cover as much of the area around your eyes as possible.
Cataracts
The most common form of treatable blindness is cataracts, where the focusing mechanism of your eye begins clouding over. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, over 10% of cataract cases are caused directly by exposure to UV rays.
Check your skin care products
According to U.S. News, certain common ingredients in skin care products greatly increase your photosensitivity, putting you more at risk of UV ray exposure. Try to avoid ones with ingredients like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, tretinoin, and benzoyl peroxide (commonly found in acne products).
Beware the driver’s tan
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology has shown that car drivers are much more at risk of skin cancer, particularly on the left side of their bodies. While car windows protect against UVB rays, they do not protect against UVA waves. UVA rays are just as dangerous, so if you drive a lot, you might want to invest in a basic window film to protect yourself from both.
Wrinkling in the sun
UVA and UVB rays create a sort of reverse fountain of youth, as they break down collagen (what keeps your skin tissue connected). This makes skin less strong and flexible, making it harder for the skin to repair itself and speeding up the aging process.
Weakened immune system
According to the World Health Organization, strong exposure to UV light weakens the functioning and distribution of the human cells responsible for triggering immune responses in the body. For instance, research has shown that high UV ray levels decrease the effectiveness of vaccinations.
Cold sore outbreaks
UVB radiation has been shown to greatly facilitate the outbreak of cold sores (for those who have the Herpes simplex virus), according to the World Health Organization. But studies have also proven that proper sunscreen use is enough to prevent these sun-related outbreaks.
Keep an eye on your medication
UV rays can negatively react with medication, especially antibiotics, cardiac drugs, malaria medication, and certain antihistamines like Benadryl. This can cause painful rash-like allergic reactions. Before heading out, it might be worth checking to make sure any medication you take is not photoallergic.
Non-melanoma skin cancers
This lesser-known form of skin cancer is usually not life-threatening, but can be very painful to remove surgically and often results in permanent scarring, according to the World Health Organization.
Surfer’s eye
No, surfer’s eye is not a condition that makes you finally able to impress the local surfers on your next trip to Hawaii. Surfer’s eye is another name for Pterygium, a blemish on the surface of the eye caused by extended UV exposure (as well as wind and sand exposure). It’s usually not harmful, but may extend to the centre of the cornea, where it can become inflamed and reduce your vision.
Smallpox
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, UV exposure is a cause of the spread of smallpox lesions. Luckily most everyone today has been vaccinated for this contagious disease.
Heat stroke
Of all the various forms of heat-induced illness, heat stroke is the most severe and dangerous. Heat stroke occurs when your body is unable to sweat enough to cool down its internal temperature, causing fatigue, dizziness, headache and, in extreme cases, loss of consciousness. Sunburned skin also sweats less, making it harder for the body to cool down.
Hair damage
According to the Independent, there are many ways in which sun exposure damages your hair. It draws away moisture from your scalp, dries your cuticles (the hair’s outer layer), and breaks down your hair’s protein structure. This can lead to permanent hair damage, dryness, and hair loss. People don’t often think of applying sun protection to their hair, but UV protector sprays and scalp oils can combat many of these negative effects.
Sun-dyed hair
Though this may not be a dangerous or permanent threat, it can lead to some bad hair days. If you’ve dyed your hair recently, the heat of the sun can interact with the residual bleach and change your hair colour in strange and unexpected ways. This is especially the case for those who bleach or dye their hair a lighter tint, according to the Huffington Post.
Snow blindness
Surprisingly, one of the most common sun-related injuries occurs in the winter! Snow blindness is one of the most widespread forms of photokeratitis, the equivalent of sunburn on your cornea. Snowy surfaces act as a reflective mirror for the sun’s rays. If you want to protect your eyes year-round, get used to rocking your sunglasses in the winter.
Photophobia
If you get anxious or irritated when the sun shines brightly, you might have photophobia—otherwise known as light sensitivity—a condition that affects between 10% and 20% of the population. According to the University of Utah, this occurs when the nerves that connect the eye to the brain are too sensitive to light, which can cause migraines, inflammation, and even anxiety disorder.
Dehydration
Feeling exhausted after simply sitting out in the sun? You’re probably dehydrated. Simply put, dehydration is caused when more water exits your body than comes in. Dehydration can lead to dizziness, exhaustion, nausea and, in extreme cases, even death.
Hives
Most commonly caused by stress, you can also get hives from exposure to UV light, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Solar urticaria, as it’s called, can create burning rashes and welts, but rarely lasts over 24 hours.
UV light and pregnancy
It’s best to avoid the tanning salon when you’re pregnant! New research shows that UV rays decrease folic acid levels, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Folic acid is very important when it comes to preventing birth defects in the first trimester.
Article Source: http://www.msn.com/en-ph/health/medical/20-unexpected-and-dangerous-effects-of-the-sun-on-your-body/ss-BBud9SU?li=BBr8YXP&ocid=iehp#image=21
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VOCABULARY WORDS:
1. In full swing (idiom) ~ at the highest level of activity or operation
2. Vulnerable (adj.) ~ susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm
3. Scar (n.) ~ a mark left on the skin after a surface injury or wound has healed
4. Blemish (n.) ~ a small mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something
5. Residual (adj.) ~ remaining after the greater part or quantity has gone
6. Hives (n.) ~ any of various eruptive conditions of the skin, as the wheals of urticaria
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. What kinds of health problems are common during summer season?
2. How do you stay healthy during the summer?
3. Most of the health problems mentioned is related with eyes and skin. How do you take care of your skin and eyes during summer?
