Fun in the Sun!

The days are getting warmer—and longer. More sunshine means more time to work and play in Lake Country. But be sure to be careful while basking in those glorious rays. The major cause of skin cancer is exposure to direct sunlight.

The sun's damaging effects are cumulative, meaning they start in childhood and progress over the years as you spend more time in the sun. According to Mayo Clinic online, ultraviolet rays are the culprits. “A suntan is actually your body's way of blocking the UV rays to prevent sunburn and other skin damage. But the protection only goes so far. Eventually, UV light causes the skin to burn, bringing pain, redness and swelling.”

For more information from the Mayo Clinic on causes, treatments, and ways to prevent sunburn, visit MayoClinic.com. There are also sections on treatment, administering first aid, and advice on sunscreens.

Another useful website from the University of Minnesota has lots of information on kids and sunburn. Think prevention! Before kids go out in the sun, Slip, Slap, Slop—slip on a shirt, slap on sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat, and slop on the sunscreen.

It’s good advice for adults, too. And remember, you can get sunburned on cloudy days, since most of the UV rays pass right through the clouds. They also reflect off snow, ice, sand, and water. So take precautions to be safe in our Lake Country sun—and enjoy our glorious summer.