The human body responds to both good and negative sunlight effects. For instance, it is well knowledge that too much time spent in the sun may lead to burns on the skin and, over the long run, an increased risk of cancer. On the other hand, too much time spent in the sun is necessary for synthesizing vitamin D in the skin. Because of this, it is necessary to establish a happy medium between getting enough beneficial sunlight and getting too much of it, which may be harmful. So in this article, we discuss 5 harmful effects of sunlight.
Harmful Sunlight Effects on the Skin
Immediate Skin Damage
Even while the signs of a sunburn may not appear for another two to six hours, it is possible to get one in less than 15 minutes if you are exposed to the sun. This kind of radiation burn is caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet, often known as UV rays. The reddening of the skin is often accompanied by pain and blisters, as well as second-degree burns if the damage is severe enough.
Long-term Skin Damage
Even if you do not get sunburned very frequently, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light over a lifetime speeds up your skin’s aging process. There is a possibility that you may start to notice an increase in the number of wrinkles, dryness, sagging, and a dull, leathery appearance. Your skin also becomes more prone to bruising and develops pigment changes that are known as “age spots.” Changes in the cells of the skin brought on by extended exposure have been linked to the development of skin cancer, the most frequent form of cancer overall.
It is of the utmost importance that you keep your children from being sunburned. Melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous-cell carcinoma are the three forms of skin cancer that are associated with increased risk due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation. On the other hand, sunburns that occur during childhood are often recognized as having the highest risk of developing melanoma later in life. The Skin Cancer Foundation issues the following caution:
If you have five sunburns or more while you are young, your chance of developing melanoma later in life is increased by 80 percent. If a person has had more than five sunburns in their lifetime, their chance of developing melanoma is estimated to increase by a factor of two.
Heat Stroke
Heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and fainting are only the beginning of the symptoms of heat stroke, which may cause irreparable brain damage and even death if left untreated. High school and college athletes in otherwise good health are more vulnerable to fatal heat stroke while training outside in extreme temperatures.
Exposure to high heat, especially when coupled with dehydration, may cause the body’s temperature management mechanism to fail, leading to a core temperature of more than 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat stroke often manifests with these symptoms:
- Feelings of faintness and dizziness
- A severe, throbbing headache
- Diarrhea and sickness
- Weakness or spasms in the muscles
- Rapid and shallow breathing; elevated heart rate
- Symptoms such as haziness, confusion, staggering, fits, lapses in consciousness, and coma may be present.
Dehydration
Dehydration happens when more water leaves our cells and body than we take in by drinking. This happens when the water loss is greater than the water gain. When we get severely dehydrated, our bodies’ fluid levels become imbalanced, which may eventually lead to death. If you find that the color of your urine has changed to a dark yellow, this is an indication that you may be dehydrated.
Additional symptoms of dehydration include the following:
- Symptoms of reduced urine production, difficulty sweating, and increased thirst
- Weakness and dizziness
- Aching tongue and parched mouth.
- Shaking of the heart
- Symptoms of fainting, disorientation, and lethargy
Hives
Solar urticaria is the name given to hives that develop after exposure to the sun. These huge, red, painful welts may occur within five minutes of exposure to the sun, and they often go away within an hour or two after exiting the sunshine. Headaches, weakness, and nausea are other common symptoms for those suffering from this uncommon ailment. This hypersensitivity can significantly impair one’s ability to function and possibly put one’s life in danger. There are 3.1 cases per 100,000 persons impacted worldwide, with females having a higher risk of infection than men.
How to Stay Away from the Harmful Effects of Sunlight
It is possible to protect yourself against harmful sunlight effects. Learn your body and how it responds to different levels of solar exposure. Observe these tried and true recommendations:
Use sunscreen. The sun protection factor, or SPF, indicates the level of defense provided against UV radiation. Recommended using SPF 15 or higher. Sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection protects both UVA and UVB rays. Applying sunscreen at least half an hour before going outdoors is recommended. It is important not to forget to apply product to regions such as your ears, lips, and hairline. You are advised to reapply sunscreen at least once every two hours. You should also reapply the sunscreen if you have been sweating or swimming.
Plan your exposure. It is best to stay out of the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. At this time of day, the sun’s rays are at their most powerful. Take extra precautions while traveling to areas that are closer to the equator.
Take breaks. An unhealthy amount of time spent in the sun is dangerous. Get indoors, find a shade spot, or bring an umbrella.
Cover up. Put on some clothes and a cap to shield your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Because they are more sensitive, infants and children should always be excluded from this rule. You should also protect your eyes by using sunglasses with UV protection.
Regarding sunlight, there are a variety of additional considerations to take into account. Certain medications can potentially make you more vulnerable to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Antibiotics and birth control pills are examples of such items. Make sure you ask your pharmacist or doctor about any potential adverse effects.
Certain surfaces, such as water, concrete, sand, and snow, are excellent reflectors of ultraviolet light. These locations put you in a more precarious position. This indicates that it is possible to develop a sunburn when skiing. Even if it is gloomy outdoors, you still run the risk of becoming burnt. You should under no circumstances get inside a tanning bed. The fact that the light does not originate from the sun in no way indicates that it is risk-free. High doses of ultraviolet radiation may be emitted by tanning booths and artificial sunlight. You should not use any products that claim to help you get a tan, either. It is said that some oils, lotions, and medications might cause your body to create more melanin and brown your skin more quickly.
