The sun does not only burn at the beach

This year's spring ushered a dramatic change in weather, following an unusually harsh winter. The chilling conditions gave way to warm sunny weather almost overnight. Such a change was of course welcomed by most if not all who indeed wasted no time in making the best of the long awaited favourable weather conditions, though this warm spell was subsequently interrupted by yet another period of cold weather.

It is worth drawing one's attention to the potential danger posed by an overnight jump in UV index from relatively safe levels to a level of seven or higher, precisely on the first day of spring. It is so easy for one to get fooled by the gentle warm rays of sunshine breaking through the spring air. It may therefore come as a surprise to most that the incidence of sunburn in spring is significantly higher than one would think.

This is precisely one of the main reasons why the UV index was introduced in the local weather forecast just over two years ago. Irrespective of whether the weather is cloudy, breezy, or sunny, a UV index of seven or higher tells us that unless one makes an effort to keep out of the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is strongest, or if this is not possible for valid reasons, one applies adequate sun protection in the form of sunscreen (factor 20+ in adults and 30+ in children, repeated every two to three hours), hat, and less revealing clothing, then there is a real risk of sunburn. Such warning applies especially to fair-skinned individuals and to children, who are indeed much more susceptible to the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays.

Besides accelerating the signs of skin aging, long-term over-exposure to the sun causes skin cancer. The risk of melanoma skin cancer is particularly greatly increased by multiple episodes of sunburn in children, teenagers and young adults. This serious form of skin cancer is potentially fatal if not caught and treated in time, hence the emphasis on early detection which is one of the key objectives of skin cancer campaigns including the Euro melanoma campaign. In recent decades, the incidence of melanoma has progressively increased in a relentless fashion in most predominantly white-skinned populations, the Maltese being no exception.

One word of warning about tanning beds and booths, which are increasingly promoted locally by a number of health spas, gyms and salons. These units induce skin tanning by means of ultraviolet "A" radiation which rays, although very efficient in tanning the skin without burning, still increase the risk of skin cancer in a significant way and no doubt are also extremely efficient in bringing about premature skin ageing. Clients enquiring about artificial tanning facilities have a right to be explicitly informed about such risks by operators of these units.

Something that perhaps most people may not be aware of is that a tan acquired from these artificial tanning units does not protect your skin from sunburn, since a tan induced by ultraviolet "A" rays does not protect against sunburn that is caused by ultraviolet "B" rays which, indeed, make up the bulk of solar UV radiation reaching the earth's surface.

At the mention of sun protection most people will immediately refer to the seaside or swimming pool. However, there are so many other situations which are all too often underestimated in terms of sun exposure. Gardening, hanging clothes, outdoor sports, driving, outdoor occupations, leisurely strolls, picnics, children playing outdoors including during school mid-day breaks, and the list goes on and on. The theme of this year's Euro melanoma campaign, The Sun Does Not Only Burn At The Beach, is in fact intended to correct this misperception and to alert the public to take appropriate precautions in all situations which could inflict sun damage to the skin.

All those who are in some way or other involved in the caring of children, including parents, school authorities and sports coordinators, please take note. Look after and educate those little ones until they are old enough to take care of themselves.

Dr Scerri is chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Sir Paul Boffa Hospital.