Summer - Eyes & Skin

Keep Your Eyes & Skin Safe from the Sun

As we enjoy the remaining summertime weather, we need to keep in mind several issues about the effects of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. We need sunshine. It helps with our body’s production of Vitamin D and has been tied to issues of depression in some people who don’t get enough. However, overexposure to the sun can lead to a variety of health risks.

Protecting Your Skin:

Sunblock isn’t just for weekends at the pool or beach. Anyone working outdoors should be applying subblock to exposed skin daily. Wear a sunblock that has proper UV protection and reapply throughout the day to maintain protection and block the harmful UV.

Protecting Your Eyes:

Keep your sunglasses on! UV light can be just as harmful to the eyes as it is to the skin. Overexposure can damage the cornea, retina and lens over time. Wearing sunglasses with UV protection whenever you are outside is vital to keeping your eyes protected.

Beat the Heat Reminders:

Overexposure to heat can cause harm, especially to those working outside. When your body loses too much sweat through working under hot conditions, your body can become dehydrated. If your body does not have enough water to cool itself down, heat related illness can occur. There are several heat related illnesses that affect workers, the most harmful being heat stroke and other heat illness include heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash.

To Prevent Heat Illnesses:

• Drink plenty of fluids. Water is the best defense against heat illnesses.

• Take a break when you are outside. Move to a shaded or air-conditioned area when possible.

• Pace yourself, if you are not accustomed to the heat start slowly and increase pace gradually.

• Avoid heavy meals, caffeine and limit your salt intake

• Know signs/symptoms of heat illnesses; monitor yourself and watch out for others

• Block out direct sun and other heat sources by wearing a hat and sunglasses