Greetings from the National Library of Medicine and MedlinePlus.gov I'm Rob Logan, Senior staff, National Library of Medicine substituting this week for Donald Lindberg, M.D, the Director of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Here is what's new in MedlinePlus this week. Summer is the time to be outside — cooking out, enjoying the beach, hiking and biking on outdoor trails, or just taking a walk in the sun. But there is a “dark side” to outdoor fun -- the danger posed by prolonged exposure to sunlight. It's important to remember to shield your skin from the dangers of ultraviolet, or UV, rays — in summer, and throughout the year. More than one million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year. If current rates continue, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime. Currently, one person dies from melanoma, a type of skin cancer, every hour in the United States.
UVA and UVB rays are invisible forms of radiation that penetrate and damage your skin cells. They can be harmful to skin during any season or temperature, causing everything from premature wrinkles and cataracts to immune system suppression and melanoma. While the suntans that result from sun exposure offer short-term cosmetic effects, they are in fact signs of skin damage, the long-term effects of which can be serious.
As a general rule, sunscreens should be used every day that you will be going in the sun for more than 20 minutes. The sun's reflective power makes sunscreen a requisite at places besides the beach. In fact, on a cloudy or snowy day, 80 percent of the sun's ultraviolet rays pass through the clouds. If used on a regular basis, most sunscreens can actually foster some repair of damaged skin.
In order to protect yourself from the harmful effects of the sun, simply slathering on the highest SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is no longer enough. Dr. James Spencer, a dermatologist in St. Petersburg, Fl., says [and we quote], “Sunscreens just aren't as good as people think they are. (Sunscreens) aren't perfect, but they are the best tool we have." [Unquote].
However imperfect, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration urges us to use screen of SPF 15 or higher. Rub sunscreen evenly on all uncovered skin.
Yes, the FDA says it's okay to use sun tan lotion on eyelids, lips, nose, ears, neck, hands, and feet. If you are balding like me, then, you need some on your head. The FDA notes we should buy sun tan lotion that is broad spectrum (which means it protects against UVA and UVB) and is water resistant -- or stays on your skin longer even when you get wet or sweat. The label should explain SPF and state whether the product is broad spectrum and water resistant. Often, this information is up front.
There are other steps you can take to reduce your risk of skin cancer. Kevin D. Cooper, Professor of Dermatology at Case Western University and an adviser to the Environmental Protection Agency, recommends wearing protective clothing, wraparound sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to reduce your chances of harmful exposure. A wide-brim hat should help protect your head, ears, eyes and neck.
It's important to stay out of the sun during the hours that its rays are strongest — usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. And, as a sun substitute, it's possible to ingest Vitamin D safely through a diet rich in fortified milk and cereal, salmon, mackerel and cod liver oil and some vitamin supplements. Sun exposure is one of the most consulted health topic pages within MedlinePlus – probably because the information is complete and helpful regardless of ones level of knowledge about skin cancers, sun burn, or sun protection.
The sun exposure health topic page contains overviews about sunlight and ultraviolet exposure, news reports about sunscreens and sun safety, information about prevention/screening, specific conditions related to sunburn or sun allergies, a link to information about sun tanners and bronzers, related clinical trials, some of the latest from medical research journals, and tailored tips for children, teens and women.
To find the sun exposure health topic page, just type ‘sun burn' or ‘sun exposure' in the search box on MedlinePlus' home page. Then, click on ‘Sun Exposure (National Library of Medicine).' Within the health topic page is a link to a website sponsored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that provides a succinct seven steps to safer sun exposure.
Besides the just mentioned tips to wear a wide brim hat, stay in the shade between 10-4, and use sunscreen, the FDA site adds you should: wear sunglasses. The FDA urges you to look at the label and buy sunglasses that block 99-100 percent of the sun's rays cover up outside – wear loose, long sleeved shirts and long pants or skirts. avoid tanning beds, sun lamps, plus pills, lotions and makeup that purport to give you a tan check your skin regularly. The FDA suggests we should look for changes in the size, shape, color, or feel of birthmarks, moles and spots. If you find changes or sores that do not seem to heal, see a doctor immediately. Please do not be surprised if you doctor refers you to a dermatologist, who specializes in helping treat skin diseases. Some recommended areas to check include: the back of you neck and scalp, the front, back and sides of your body, bend your elbows and look at the underside of your arms, and look at the backs of your legs and feet.
To find the link to the FDA's tips on MedlinePlus' health topic page, just type ‘sun burn' or ‘sun exposure' in the search box on MedlinePlus' home page. Then, click on ‘Sun Exposure (National Library of Medicine).' (same as before…) Then, click on ‘Safer Sunning in Seven Steps,' which is within the Prevention/screening section. Before I go, this reminder……. MedlinePlus.gov is authoritative,….. free…. does not accept advertising …and is written to help you.
To find MedlinePlus.gov, just type in “MedlinePlus.gov' in any web browser, such as Firefox, Safari, Netscape, or Explorer. We encourage you to use MedlinePlus and please recommend it to your friends. MedlinePlus is available in English and Spanish.
Your comments about this or any of our podcasts are always welcome. We welcome suggestions about future topics too! Please email Dr. Lindberg anytime at: NLMDirector@nlm.nih.gov That's NLMDirector (one word) @nlm.nih.gov A written transcript of recent podcasts is available. Just click on the ‘Director's comments' link on MedlinePlus' home page. The National Library of Medicine is one of 27 institutes and centers within the National Institutes of Health. The National Institutes of Health is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
It was nice to be with you….
Dr. Lindberg returns in the future.
Disclaimer - The information presented in this program should not replace the medical advice of your physician. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any disease without first consulting with your physician or other health care provider.
By the United States National Library of Medicine http://www.nlm.nih.gov/
