THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 7, 1996 TAG: 9607040285
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 38 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Jack Dempsey
LENGTH: 63 lines
Outer Banks red hots are people - not frankfurters or spicy candy.
They are the thousands of people who, each summer, pack too much sun into too little time with too little protection.
If any topic commands near-universal attention on the beach, it is sunburn, which is properly named. It is a real burn.
It is caused by ultraviolet radiation in sunlight. The intensity of UV radiation is greater at higher altitudes, on cloudless days, at midday and in areas with sand or water or snow that add reflected radiation to direct exposure. On overcast days, however, UV intensity is still strong enough to burn skin severely.
Dr. Daniel Hurley Jr. of Beach Medical Care at the Regional Medical Center in Kitty Hawk strongly advises a combination of preventive measures.
The wisest beach sunbathers are those who started a protective tan before starting their vacations. A week at the beach just isn't enough time to safely pursue a crash tan.
A broad-rimmed hat provides significant protection for sensitive ears, eyelids, noses and lips.
A week in Outer Banks sun should start with short exposures - and at times other than between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when radiation is most intense.
Re-exposing the skin the day after an overexposure is obviously contrary to common sense. All precautions are particularly important for those most vulnerable to the effects of the sun. These are light-complexioned persons (especially redheads), infants and persons on medications that occasionally produce hypersensitivity.
Finally, there is sunblock. Its sun protection factor ranges from 2 to 45. The amount of protection increases with the SPF number. The average sunbather needs an SPF of at least 15. If there is no SPF number on the label, you receive no protection from the sun.
Those who spend considerable time in the water are well advised to purchase a sunblock with a water-resistant base. Even so, such lotion should be reapplied frequently - especially on the tops of the feet. Dr. Hurley said some of the worst burns he has treated have been to that part of the body.
The two components of UV radiation are referred to simply as UVA and UVB. UVB radiation accounts for most of the sunburn and the SPF originally referred to that.
UVA causes most of the long-term effects of skin aging and wrinkling. An increasing number of sunblocks advertise UVA protection.
After exposure to the sun, thorough cleansing and an application of soothing aloe vera help prevent infection and discomfort. Aspirin and/or cold packs reduce discomfort.
For more painful burns, a hydrocortisone cream such as Cortaid will help. Your local pharmacist may steer you to any of several products ending with -caine (anesthetic), such as Solarcaine.
While these products offer relief, certain individuals may develop a hypersensitivity reaction from such medication. In such cases, seek medical care.
Heavy blistering is the most frequent symptom of a second-degree burn and should receive medical attention. Also seek medical care for any unusual symptoms after long exposure, such as fever, vomiting or severe swelling.
Feeling silly or embarrassed about overexposing yourself should not deter you from seeking medical care. MEMO: Jack Dempsey has a doctorate in public health from Johns Hopkins
University and has published two books on health care. by CNB