SHAWANO, WI – As temperatures climb across northeast Wisconsin and more people head outdoors, Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Director Nick Mau is reminding residents that protecting themselves from harmful ultraviolet rays is one of the most important steps they can take this summer.
Mau says ultraviolet, or UV, radiation is the leading cause of most skin cancers, making sun protection essential whenever spending extended time outside.
“UV is really the root cause of most skin cancers,” Mau said. “It’s important to take the steps that are necessary to reduce exposure to those UV rays from the sun.”
One of the simplest ways to stay protected is by choosing the right sunscreen. Mau recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30, while people who burn more easily and young children may benefit from an even higher SPF.
“We always recommend at the very least an SPF 30,” Mau said. “Those who maybe are burning a little bit more easily, younger children, putting on SPF 50 would be a really, really great option.”
Mau says both spray and lotion sunscreens provide effective protection, adding that the most important factor is using sunscreen consistently and reapplying it often, especially after swimming or sweating.
“The best sunscreen is the one that you wear often,” Mau said. “If you’re using the spray lotions, just make sure you’re rubbing that in afterwards because that’s more likely to slick off if you don’t rub it in like a normal sunscreen lotion.”
While sunscreen is the first line of defense, Mau says it works best when combined with other protective measures.
He recommends wearing lightweight UV-protective clothing or long sleeves, using umbrellas or other sources of shade when at the beach or park, wearing wraparound sunglasses to protect the eyes, and choosing a wide-brimmed hat to shield the face, ears, and neck from direct sunlight.
“The way that we can really get preventative is to combine all these methods together,” Mau said.
If a sunburn does occur, Mau recommends cooling and hydrating the affected skin with products such as aloe vera gel or hydrating creams, keeping the burned area covered to avoid further damage, drinking plenty of water, and using over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen if needed.
He says taking a few simple precautions now can help prevent painful sunburns while also reducing the long-term risk of skin cancer and other UV-related health problems throughout the summer.
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