Have a sun-safe summer by protecting your skin; here's how

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By Dr. John D'Orazio

University of Kentucky

Spending time outside in the summer is a great way to stay active, reduce stress and get vitamin D. It’s also important to make sure your skin is protected during your time outdoors.

Too much sun can cause skin cancer — the most common cancer in the U.S.  Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet light, which can damage skin cells.

Protecting your skin from UV rays is important all year long and not just during the summer. You can also be exposed to UV rays on cloudy or cool days.

Here are steps you can take to protect your skin from the sun:

Sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that filters out two types of UV rays: UVA and UVB. It should also have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Put a thick layer of sunscreen everywhere that will be exposed to the sun at least 20 minutes before going outside.

It’s also important to reapply your sunscreen because it does wear off. If you’re out in the sun for more than two hours or swimming, sweating or toweling off, you need to reapply.

Make sure your sunscreen isn’t expired. It’s shelf life is no more than three years and shorter if it’s been exposed to high temperatures.

Sunglasses: In addition to protecting your eyes from UV rays, sunglasses also protect the more delicate skin around your eyes from sun exposure. Most sunglasses sold in the U.S. block both UVA and UVB rays.

Hats and clothing: Hats with a brim all the way around that shades your face, ears and the back of your neck offer the most protection. Canvas works best and you should avoid straw hats that let too much sunlight through. If you wear a baseball hat, you should also protect your ears and the back of your neck with clothing, sunscreen or staying in the shade.

Long-sleeved shirts and long pants and skirts can also provide you some protection from UV rays. Clothing made from tightly woven fabric offers the best protection as well as darker colors.

Shade: You still need to wear sunscreen or protective clothing even when hanging out in the shade. Staying under an umbrella, tree or other covering can help you reduce your risk of sun damage and skin cancer. Taking breaks in shaded areas is also key on long days outside.

Other ways to stay sun safe include planning activities in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the most exposure to the sun.

Sunburn: A sunburn usually shows up four hours after being exposed to the sun, gets worse for about 24 hours and then fades in three to five days.

Treatment: You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever to help with the pain of a sunburn. A cool, wet cloth can also offer relief as well as applying aloe or moisturizer. It’s important to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

If you have blisters, don’t break them. Lightly bandage the area to prevent infection. If more than 15% of your body is sunburned, you’re in pain for more than 48 hours or have a fever of above 101 degrees, seek medical attention.

If you’re sunburned, avoid more time in the sun until your skin has healed.

John D’Orazio, M.D., Ph.D., is division chief for pediatric oncology, hematology and oncology at UK HealthCare and researches skin cancer at the UK Markey Cancer Center.

Tips for keeping children safe in the 'deadliest days of summer'

Yobro10, iStock / Getty Images Plus

By Sherri Hannan
University of Kentucky

The season from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day is known as the "100 deadliest days of summer." The summer months, while a highlight for kids, can also expose them to greater injury risk. Kids spend time in the water, walking or riding bikes in their neighborhood and just enjoying their summer break from school. All that can change quickly without the use of safety devices or following safe practices.

Here are some tips and trips to keep kids safe while they have fun in the sun.

Outdoors:

• Apply sunscreen when kids will be outdoors, even on cloudy day. Reapply every two hours and after your child has been swimming.
• Kids are at a higher risk for dehydration. Combined with the summer heat, the lack of water can lead to muscle cramps, heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Have them drink water before, during and after physical activity.
• Fireworks are a fun way to celebrate, but every year, more than 3,000 children under the age of 15 visit the emergency department because of fireworks. Give children glowsticks instead of sparklers, and always keep fireworks away from children. If possible, attend a public fireworks display instead, and leave the firepower to the professionals.
• Keep a first aid kit handy, and give your children a few first aid basics such as when to use a bandage, what a tick might look like and how to spot poison ivy.

In the water or on a boat:

• Actively supervise children in and around water, giving them your undivided attention.
• Teach children to swim with an adult. Older, more experienced swimmers should still swim with a partner every time. From the first time your kids swim, teach children to never go near or in water without an adult present.
• Swimming aids such as water wings or noodles are fun toys for kids, but they should never be used in place of a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
• A large portion of boating accidents each year involve alcohol consumption by both boat operators and passengers. To keep you and your loved ones safe, it is strongly recommended not to drink alcoholic beverages while boating.

Bicycling:

• Wear a properly fitted helmet. It is the best way to prevent head injuries and death. Learn how to properly fit a helmet for your children in seconds.
• Ride on the sidewalk when you can. If not, ride in the same direction as traffic as far on the right-hand side as possible.
• Use hand signals and follow the rules of the road. Be predictable by making sure you ride in a straight line and don’t swerve between cars.
• Wear bright colors and use lights, especially when riding at night and in the morning. Reflectors on your clothes and bike will help you be seen.
• Ride with your children. Stick together until you are comfortable that your kids are ready to ride on their own.

Skin-cancer rates have spiked 800% among young women; experts advise limiting exposure to sun and tanning beds

New research shows that skin-cancer rates have surged among young women, likely because they use tanning beds, but health experts warn that exposure to the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays puts us all at risk, so it's important to always take precautions when out in the sun.

The research, presented at the summer meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, found that between 1970 and 2009, rates of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, increased 800 percent among women 18 to 39, an AAD news release said.

During a similar time frame, the researchers also found that basal-cell and squamous-cell carcinoma rates also increased, 145% and 263%, respectively.

“Because there’s a delay between UV exposure and when skin cancer appears, most women don’t think it will happen to them,” Dr. M. Laurin Council, a dermatologist and associate professor at Washington University in St. Louis, said in the release. “This data reveals the disproportionate rise in the number of skin cancers in women and the need for further education regarding UV exposure.”

Indoor tanning by Caucasian girls and young women "is of particular focus," says the release, because it is estimated that indoor tanning may cause more than 400,000 cases of skin cancer in the U.S. each year.

"One indoor tanning session can increase a user's lifetime risk of developing melanoma by 20%, squamous cell carcinoma by 67% and basal-cell carcinoma by 29% . . . and this risk increases with each use," says the release.

Council says limiting exposure to UV rays from the sun or other sources like tanning beds is the best way to decrease your risk for skin cancer. She adds that it is especially important to avoid sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. because that's when the sun's rays are the strongest.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adds that the sun's UV rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes and notes that a tan does not indicate good health, but instead is the skin's response to injury, because skin cells signal that they have been hurt by UV rays by producing more pigment called melanin.

"Every time you tan, you increase your risk of getting skin cancer," says the CDC.

Other suggestions to protect yourself from the sun include wearing protective clothing including lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses when out in the sun, as well as using a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher (Council says the SPF should be 30), and apply every two hours, as well as after swimming or sweating

Council also calls on parents to teach their children about the dangers of sun exposure and tanning beds, and their relationship to skin cancer.

In Kentucky , melanoma of the skin, or skin cancer, is one of the top 10 cancers by rates of new cases, at 28.7 cases per 100,000 people.

Summer's here, which means it's time to protect our skin from the sun and keep a regular watch for skin cancer

Chart from Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health; click on it
to view a larger version; to download a full-size version, click here.

Friday, June 1 is the start of meteorological summer, which is a great reminder to make sure you have enough sunscreen on hand and to remember to check your body for skin cancer.

The American Cancer Society says the top cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet, or UV, rays from the sun or other sources like tanning beds.

To protect yourself from the sun, the ACS recommends wearing clothing and a wide-brim hat to protect as much skin as possible; using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher, and to reapply every two hours, as well as after swimming or sweating; staying in the shade if possible; and avoiding tanning beds and sunlamps.

But it's also important to be careful when using sunscreens on children.

Brenda Goodman of WebMD reports on a 14-month-old child who is recovering from a "painful, blistering rash that spread over her cheeks and nose, right where her mom had spread a palmful of Banana Boat Kids Free spray sunscreen."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating the case, and told WebMD that it is aware of three other Canadian children who had reactions to the same product.

Dr. Alok Vij, a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic, told WebMD that he thought the reaction was something called a photoallergy, which happens when the sunlight combines with a chemical to cause a chemical reaction.

His advice to parents includes: Keep kids out of the sun during the brightest parts of the day, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; use sun-protective clothing; use mineral-based sunscreens, like those with zinc or titanium; and avoid spray sunscreens. 

The American Academy of Dermatology reports that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

 The doctors at University of Louisville Physicians – Surgical Oncology, in a U of L news release, recommends regular skin self-exams after a shower or bath.They note that it's important to learn where your birthmarks, moles and blemishes are located, and to take note of how they usually look and feel. Family members can examine areas that are hard for an individual to see.

"Using a full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror, check for anything new such as a mole that looks abnormal, a change in size, shape, color or texture of a mole or a sore that doesn’t heal," the doctors advice. "Check yourself from head to toe, including all areas and crevices of the skin."

They also offer these "ABCDE" tips to help you remember what to watch for:

• Asymmetry – The shape of one half does not match the other.
• Border – The edges are often jagged, uneven, distorted or atypical in outline; the pigment may spread into the surrounding skin.
• Color – The color is uneven. Shades of black, brown and tan may be present. Areas of white, gray, red, pink or blue also may be seen.
• Diameter – There is a change in size, usually an increase. Melanomas are usually larger than the eraser of a pencil (1/4 inch or 5 mm).
• Evolution – Anything that changes over time. It is important to call a dermatologist if you find one of these suspicious characteristics.

And just because you have dark skin doesn't mean you shouldn't check yourself. A 2016 American Academy of Dermatology study, “Racial Disparities in Melanoma Survival,” found that while melanoma incidence is higher in whites, death rates are relatively higher among people of color.

 “Far too often, black, Hispanic, and Asian patients with melanoma cancer tell us they believed that melanoma was only a danger for sun-seeking whites,” says the study report. “But anyone – regardless of skin color – may develop melanoma, in both sun-exposed and sun-protected sites. Not noticing or ignoring a new or changing mole in a sun-protected site can be fatal.”

Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun; here are some tips to protect yourself

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention photo shows protection

By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News

Tanning is not healthy. Despite the perception that a tanned person looks "healthy," tanned skin is actually damaged skin that has been exposed to ultraviolet rays. And it doesn't really matter if the exposure comes from the sun, or a tanning bed, or happens in the winter or the summer; UV exposure is the number-one cause of skin cancer in the United States, says WebMD.

In fact, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with the American Academy of Dermatology estimating that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

“Repeated overexposure to the sun can lead to premature aging and skin cancers called basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma, which is the deadliest form of skin cancer.” Dr. Tamar Zapolanski, a dermatologist at the Valley Medical Group in New Jersey, said in a news release.

The CDC notes that basal-cell and squamous-cell cancers, which affect the cells on the outer layer of the skin, are the most common kinds of skin cancer and usually respond well to treatment. Melanoma, the cancer that affects cells that give the skin its color, is much less common, but is more dangerous because it is more likely to spread to other parts of the body if not caught early.

In 2016, 3 percent of new cancers in the United states were melanomas, a rate that has been increasing steadily over the years, says the American Cancer Society, WebMD adds that melanoma causes 75 percent of all skin cancer deaths.

Kentucky Cancer Registry maps show occurrences of skin cancer (left) and deaths from melanoma, by county

In 2013, the most recent year with data available, the CDC reports that almost 72,000 Americans were diagnosed with melanoma, and more than 9,000 died from it. Between 2010 and 2014, 41 out of every 100,000 Kentuckian was diagnosed with a melanoma, and 33 Kentuckians out of every million died from it.

Anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of their skin color, but the risk is greatest for people with fair or freckled skin, light eyes and blond or red hair. Other risk factors include having a family history of skin cancer, having an outdoor job and living in a sunny climate. A history of severe sunburns early in life and having a large number of moles are also risks, says the CDC.

"Cumulative sun exposure causes mainly basal-cell and squamous-cell skin exposure, while episodes of severe sunburns, usually before age 18, can raise the risk of developing melanoma," says WebMD.

Not all skin cancers look the same. Experts say the most common warning sign of skin cancer is a change on the skin, like a new mole or skin lesion, or a change in an existing mole.

info-graphic: American Academy of Dermatology

They also recommend a simple rule to assess for melanoma, called the A-B-C-D-E rule:

• Asymmetry--Does the shape of one half match the other?
• Border--Are the edges of the mole irregular or jagged?
• Color--Does the color have uneven shades of brown, black, tan, red, white or blue?
• Diameter--Is the mole or spot larger than the size of a pea?
• Evolving--Has the mole or spot changed during the past weeks or months?

The CDC offers some tips to protect yourself from the sun:

• Stay in the shade, especially during the midday hours.
• Wear protective clothing on arms and legs.
• Wear a hat with a wide brim.
• Wear sunglasses that wrap around and have UVA and UVB protections.
• Use sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection, even on cloudy days.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming, sweating or toweling off.
• Avoid indoor tanning.

“Sunscreen protects against harmful radiation from the sun by absorbing, reflecting or scattering the sun’s rays on the skin,” said Zapolanski, adding that skin cancer is very treatable if caught early.

Doctor discusses myths about sun exposure and sunburn

As the weather grows warmer and more people spend longer periods of time outside in the sun, it's important to understand the dangers of sun exposure. "Ultraviolet radiation is a known carcinogen, which means, similar to cigarette smoking, it can cause lasting damage to the body," said Dr. Holly Kanavy, assistant professor of medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and director of pharmacology at Montefiore Health System. Kanavy discussed five myths people often believe about sun damage:

Myth 1: Some people believe they only need to protect themselves from the sun during peak hours. Although extra precautions should be taken between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., people are susceptible to damage from the sun anytime it's out.

Myth 2: Some people think if children do not get burned, they must be wearing enough sunblock. However, young children are particularly susceptible to sun damage and should wear and reapply SPF 30 or higher sunblock. Hats and sunglasses as well as clothing are also helpful, but wet clothes don't offer much protection from the sun.

Myth 3: Some individuals think sun exposure is required to obtain vitamin D. In truth, it only takes 10-15 minutes of sun exposure several times per week. Some people do not wear sunscreen because they're trying to get vitamin D. However, that isn't necessary because it takes sunscreen about 20 minutes to start working, and people can get their vitamin D intake during that time. Also the vitamin can be acquired through certain foods.

Myth 4: Some people believe that the only important factor to look for in sunscreen is the SPF. However, people should make sure their sunblock protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays age the skin and can cause skin cancer. To make sure a sunblock protects against both kinds of rays, look for the words "broad spectrum" and ingredients like avobenzone, oxybenzone, zinc oxide and/or titanium oxide.

Myth 5: Some people think sun protection is unnecessary indoors or on cold days. However, temperature doesn't affect radiation, and UVA rays can go through clouds and glass. UVA rays don't cause tanning, but can cause damage.

Kanavy also recommended steps to take after getting sunburn. "Immediately after a burn, take a cool shower and keep the burn moisturized," he said. "Ingredients like vitamin C and vitamin E can help control damage."

Lifestyle changes and screening will decrease risk of cancer, which is especially deadly in Kentucky

This Kentucky Cancer Consortium graph shows the
deaths from cancers with evidence-based prevention
or early detection methods in Kentucky in 2005-09.

By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News

Kentucky has the nation's highest rates of newly diagnosed cancers and death rate for all cancers combined, but Kentuckians could easily reduce those rates through proper screening and lifestyle changes, says a report from the Kentucky Cancer Consortium. Kentucky has a high death rate from lung, colon and cervical cancer, and leads in lung cancer deaths, with a rate almost 50 percent higher than the national rate.

The Nos. 1, 2 and 3 causes of cancer deaths in Kentucky, are lung, colon and breast cancer, and all three can be easily prevented or detected, according to the report.

Many risks associated with cancer are outside a person's control, but lifestyle changes and screening tools have been proven to reduce cancer risk and to catch cancer early, said Mark Varvares, M.D., director of the Saint Louis University Cancer Center.

“Healthy choices and preventive screenings won’t totally erase cancer, but they can reduce our risk in a really meaningful way," Varvares said in a news release. "They offer us the chance to change the course of the future, if we take advantage of them.”

According to the American Cancer Society, “More than half of all cancer deaths could be prevented by making healthy choices like not smoking, staying at a healthy weight, eating right, keeping active, and getting recommended screening tests.”

Specific suggestions made by the Saint Louis University Medical Center to reduce the risk of cancer are:

#1: Quit smoking. Smoking causes most lung cancer deaths in the U.S.

#2: Eat a healthy diet. Obesity is a risk factor for many cancers, including those of the esophagus, pancreas, colon, and breast. A healthy diet includes foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains, which  also linked reduce cancer risk. Limiting red meats and processed meats can lower your risk of colorectal cancer. Many specific foods, like leafy green vegetables or blueberries, have been shown to have specific anti-cancer properties.

 #3: Exercise. Studies show exercise lowers risk of colon and breast cancer. There also appear to be links between exercise and reduced prostate, lung and endometrial cancer risks.

 #4 Limit alcohol. Excessive alcohol is bad for your health, and can raise the risk of certain types of cancer. For women, even a few drinks a week may increase breast cancer risk. The overuse of mouthwash, which contains alcohol, been linked to mouth cancer, Varvares said in the report. The recommended maximum amount of alcohol is two 4-ounce drinks per day for men and one for women.

#5: Wear sunscreen and avoid tanning beds altogether. Sunscreen, which blocks dangerous rays from the sun, is your best bet to avoid skin cancer.  Tanning-bed users have a high incidence of skin cancer.

#6: Get screened. Colonoscopy, pap smears and mammography can be life-saving tools.

 #7 Get vaccinated. The human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine lowers cervical-cancer rates in women, and is now being recommended for boys as well as girls partly because it shows promise in preventing head and neck cancer, too.

 #8: Consider genetic counseling. This is a possible option for those with a family history of certain cancers, but should be a decision made with your doctor and with careful consideration of what you will do with the results.   In deciding whether or not to have the screening, Suzanne Mahon, genetic counselor at Saint Lois University Cancer Center says, "Patients should ask ‘Is this something I really want to know about myself. If I know I am at high genetic risk of developing cancer, am I going to do something with this information?’"

Study finds that daily use of sunscreen prevents aging of skin

Sunscreen doesn't just prevent sun burns and skin cancer; using it daily can slow down your skin's aging too, says a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. 

Australian researchers found that when adults regularly used broad-spectrum sunscreen, they were less likely to show increased wrinkling over a four-and-a-half-year period compared to adults who used sunscreen every once and a while, reports Barbara Mantel of NBC News.

This is the first study showing that sunscreen prevents skin aging, and the results show year-round use of sunscreen significantly slows the aging of skin caused by the sun's ultraviolet rays, Dr. Adele Green of Royal Brisbane Hospital in Queensland told the Gupta Guide.

"Previous research has shown that skin aging is associated with an increased risk of actinic keratoses and melanoma, and now we have the first randomized trial to show that sunscreen retards skin aging," Green said.

The sunscreen used in the study had a SPF of 15, which blocks about 94 percent of ultraviolet B rays. Stronger preparations have only a small additional effect; one with an SPF of 40 filters about 97.5 percent, Green told Mantel.

"The more important issue is applying the sunscreen well and reapplying it often," and you should make sure that sunscreen is broad spectrum, he said. The study also found that daily beta-carotene supplementation had no effect on skin aging.

The study shows that just 15 minutes of sun on any part of your body can age the skin, and it is never too late to start using sunscreen, said Dr. Nancy Snyderman of NBC News. Even in middle age, if you start using sunscreen, you can role back the aging of your skin, she said. Here's NBC's video clip:

Don't get burned, bitten or bamboozled this summer; here are safety tips for dealing with the sun, insects and sales pitches

By Molly Burchett
Kentucky Health News

Summer is finally here, and after one of the coldest Kentucky springs, who doesn't want to be outside swimming, skiing, fishing, barbecuing or soaking up rays on the beach? While summer may bring much-anticipated fun in the sun, it's important to take some  safety precautions to make sure you and your family are not getting too much of a good thing.

Sunscreen can protect you from cancer, but don't spray it

The sun is bad for your skin, and exposure to its harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can increase your risk for skin cancer, which is the most common cancer in the U.S., says the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's critical to protect yourself and your children from sun damage because just one blistering sunburn in childhood more than doubles the odds of developing skin cancer later in life, says the Mayo Clinic.

Fortunately, it’s never too late or too early to lessen your risk of sun damage by using sunscreen, and the Environmental Working Group has recently released its 2013 Guide to Sunscreens, which rates more than 1,400 sunscreens, lip balms, and SPF moisturizers and cosmetics for safety and effectiveness.

This year, EWG says 184 sunscreens, 25 percent of those on the market, met its criteria of offering adequate UV protection and posing few safety concerns. You can click here to view that product list, or here to check out the EWG findings for moisturizers, lip balm and makeup.

EWG also created a somewhat surprising list of things NOT to bring on vacation because they are unsafe or do not provide adequate UV protection:

• Spray sunscreen: These sprays may pose serious inhalation risks, and they make it too easy to not apply enough sunscreen or to miss a spot.
• High-SPF sunscreens: These products may tempt people to stay in the sun too long, which can increase the risk of other kinds of skin damage, and EWG recommends that consumers avoid products labeled higher than SPF 50.
• Oxybenzone: Used in half of sunscreen products, this chemical penetrates the skin and can adversely impact health in several ways; in the body, it acts like the female hormone estrogen and can cause allregic reactions.
• Loose powder sunscreen: Tiny zinc particles in these products can also end up in your lungs when you breathe them in during application, which irritates the lungs.
• Retinyl palmitate: Some sunscreens contain this chemical, which is a form of vitamin A, but when applied to sun-exposed skin, it may speed development of skin tumors and lesions.
• Combined sunscreen/bug repellents: Studies show this combination leads to increased skin absorption of the repellent ingredients.
• Sunscreen towelettes: Whether they really work is unknown.
• Tanning oils: They are simply a bad idea and can ultimately lead to behavior that increases risk of developing skin cancer.

So, check the ingredients for your sunscreen, avoid high-SPF's or sprays and make it a habit to wear sunscreen during sports or whenever you're outside. Be sure to reapply often to ensure UV protection, particularly if you get wet or sweaty. Click here to read EWG's "Nine Surprising Facts about Sunscreen."

Hats and clothing: Choose the right kind

Children are more vulnerable to sun damage, so in addition to actual sunscreen, the best sun protections for them are a hat and shirt (which also protect adults). The CDC recommends avoiding straw hats that let sun through the holes, and to wear a hat with UV protection or a wide brim to shield the face, head, ear and neck. If you do chose to wear a baseball cap, protect your ears and neck with clothing, sunscreen (with at least SPF 15) or spend lots of time in shade.

Wear clothing to protect exposed skin. The CDC says loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and long pants made from tightly woven fabric offer the best UV protection. Darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors, and a wet t-shirt offers much less UV protection that a dry one.

Sunburn treatment: People with fair skin or light-colored hair are more likely to be sunburned. If you get sunburned, remember that "The skin heals but is forever damaged," writes University of Kentucky nursing Professor Mollie Aheshire. "The more frequent and more severe the burns, the more damage there is," along with risk for cancer and premature aging. "If a sunburn is blistering and covers a large portion of your body; is accompanied by a high fever, extreme pain, confusion, nausea or chills; or does not respond to at-home treatment within a few days . . . see a health-care provider." Mild sunburns can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, cold compresses and moisturizing creams — aloe vera or hydrocortisone lotions. "If blisters form, do not break them," Aheshire writes. "Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Treat peeling skin gently. Stay out of the sun until redness and pain resolve." (Read more)

Sunglasses: Not just to help you see now, but to keep you seeing longer

Besides being dangerous for your skin, UV rays are dangerous to your eyes and can cause vision disorders, premature aging of the eyes or even blindness. It is important to wear sunglasses to protect eyes from sun damage, although a new survey from the American Optometric Association shows that only 40 percent of consumers cite this protection as the primary reason for wearing sunglasses, says a Kentucky Optometric Association press release.

To help reduce the risks of harmful UV exposure on the eyes, children and adults should start wearing protective sunglasses as as early as possible, and parents should ensure that babies are protected by sunglasses too, says the release. When choosing sunglasses or protective contact lenses, make sure that they block more than 95 percent of UV-A and more than 99 percent of UV-B radiation, says the KOA, and sunglasses should have a frame that fits close to the eyes so the UV rays can't sneak around the sides.

Insect repellent: Bugs can bug you, but don't over-react to them

Although nothing can ruin a relaxing summer picnic faster than bugs, take precautions to ensure you're using the right type of bug repellent-- one that's been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency -- and that you're using it wisely.

Not only are bugs annoying, they can also carry dangerous diseases, and for the safe and effective use bug repellents, always read the product label before using the product, EPA says. It says to follow these bug-repellent safety tips:

• Repellents should be applied only to exposed skin and/or clothing. Do not use them under clothing.
• Store insect repellents safely out of the reach of children.
• Do not apply near eyes and mouth, and be use sparingly around the ears.
• When using sprays, spray on the hands first and then apply to the face, not directly to the face.
• Never use repellents over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
• Do not spray in enclosed areas and avoid spraying near food.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin and clothes with soap and water.
• Do not use any product on pets or other animals
• Most insect repellents do not work on lice or fleas. 
• Click here to search for a repellent that's right for you.

Beware if you want to use a wearable repellent that's not sticky and has to be continuously resprayed, such as Off!'s clip-on mosquito repellent. It works once the cloud of mosquito protection is built around the wearer, says Brighid Moret of The Washington Times, but it's not a good option for an active or young child. The manufacturer warns on the label that a chemical on the product's enclosed disk is harmful if swallowed, directly inhaled or absorbed through the skin, and young children should not wear it.

Whether you're going on vacation or a "stay-cation," these tips can help protect you and your family from the sun and bugs in order to safely make the most of your summer. Click here for more sun safety tips from EWG.