Getting Burned : Enjoy the Summer Sun, But Be Careful

It’s that time again, when sun worshipers flock to swimming pools and beaches to soak up rays. But for some people, a “healthy tan” may not be healthy at all.

Since 1973, the rate of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, has increased by 4% each year, according to the American Cancer Society. The most recent state figures available show that 802 Californians--including 185 people in Los Angeles County--died of melanoma in 1991. Aside from melanoma, people can also contract basal cell or squamous cell cancers, which are highly curable, but usually with surgery.

While the depleted ozone layer is placing everyone at greater risk for skin cancer, there are some precautions that can be taken. Says Dr. Allan S. Wirtzer, a Sherman Oaks dermatologist: “There is no such thing as a safe tan.”

Tips on Sun Exposure

* Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the rays are the strongest.

* Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or stronger; and one which protects against both UV-A and UV-B rays.

* Use a waterproof sunscreen if you plan to be in the water or expect to perspire heavily.

* Sunburns received from infancy to teen years can increase the risk of contracting melanoma as an adult.

* Wear a wide-brimmed hat and clothes with a tight weave.

* If you’ve been using a self-tanning product, you still need to use sunscreen when you’re in the sun.

* Temperature has little to do with sun exposure. Ultraviolet radiation is strong on relatively cool days and can penetrate clouds.

* Light-skinned people are more likely to burn.

Warning Signs

Changes in moles can be an early warning sign of skin cancer, so the American Cancer Society recommends that adults examine their skin once a month. People who have atypical moles are considered to be at a higher risk of getting melanoma. Check the “A,B,C and D” of moles:

* A is for asymmetry, when both halves of the mole don’t match each other.

* B is for border, when the border is ragged, blurred or irregular.

* C is for color, when the color of the mole is not the same throughout or has shades of tan, brown, black, red, white or blue.

* D is for diameter, if the diameter of the mole is larger than a pencil eraser. Changes in moles should be reported to a dermatologist.

How the Skin Tans

1. The epidermis is penetrated by rays, reaching the underlying dermis.

2. Blood vessels dilate and more blood flows to near the surface.

3. Rays stimulate certain cells to produce more melanin, the skin pigment that darkens the skin.

Treating Sunburns

The treatment of sunburns is the same for all first-degree burns:

Soak the affected area for 15 minutes in cold water (not ice water) or apply a cold compress. Applying aloe vera will cool the burn. Anti-inflammatory pain medicine, such as aspirin or ibuprofen may also help, as well as hydro-cortisone creams.

There are other topical creams available, but some people can develop sensitivities to them. If you are sunburned all over, consider taking a bath with a cup of dry instant oatmeal scattered in the water. Other physicians have recommended adding vinegar or milk to the water. Second-degree sunburns result in blisters, which might mean a trip to the dermatologist’s office if pain persists for more than a day.

Tanning Salons

About two million people a year visit tanning salons. But how safe are they?

Tanning beds give off mostly UV-A radiation, which is less likely to cause an immediate burn than UV-B rays. However, UV-A penetrates the skin more deeply and causes it to prematurely age. Last year, researchers at the Brookhaven Laboratory in New York reported that UV-A is equally important in causing cancer.

“My feeling is moderation is the name of the game,” said Bob Rogers, president of Miami Tan, which has a total of eight tanning salons in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys. He says people who tan two to three times a week, for no more than 30 minutes each session, seem to have a happier, healthier outlook on life because they look healthier and feel better about themselves.

“They’re willing to take that risk,” Rogers said.

Skin Cancer Statistics

How melanoma compares with other common types of cancer: (estimated cancer cases for 1994:)

*

In the United States

Total: 1,208,000

Prostate: 200,000

Female breast: 182,000

Lung: 172,000

Colon and rectum: 149,000

Uterine: 46,000

Melanoma: 32,000

Oral: 29,600

Leukemia: 28,600

Pancreatic: 27,000

*

In California

Total: 124,000

Female breast: 19,000

Prostate: 18,000

Lung: 17,000

Colon and rectum: 14,000

Uterine: 5,000

Melanoma: 4,000

Oral: 3,300

Leukemia: 3,100

Pancreatic: 2,900

* Other, less common cancer types are included in the total, but not listed specifically.

*

Sources: California Department of Health Services, American Cancer Society, American Academy of Dermatology and the Wellness Encyclopedia.