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Protect Your Skin during the Summer Months

Photo: A mother applying sunscreen on her daughter When you’re outside, take simple precautions to keep your skin safe and healthy. To protect your skin, apply sunscreen, use bug repellent, and keep skin clean.

 

Bright sunshine and blue skies, the buzz of insects, and the sweat on everyone’s brow are all telltale signs of summertime. Take some simple precautions and be prepared to keep your skin safe and healthy.

Apply Sunscreen

For many people, summertime means spending more time outside. Since ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun tends to be stronger during the summer months, and exposure to UV rays appears to the most important environmental factor in developing skin cancer, it’s important to know how to best protect your skin. Sunscreen is one of many sun protective practices to prevent sunburns, a risk factor in developing skin cancer, especially the most deadly of skin cancers, melanoma. Use sunscreen with a sun protective factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and put it on your skin a half hour before you go outside so it has a chance to soak in. Also remember to reapply sunscreen after swimming or toweling.

The SPF of a sunscreen protects against one type of harmful UV rays (UV-B rays). There are currently no ratings for the other harmful UV rays (UVA rays), but you may want to check and see if your sunscreen has coverage against UVA rays.

Spending time in the sun? Know the facts:

A woman wearaing a hat

  • UV rays are strongest between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm.
  • Reflective surfaces (water, cement, and sand) increase your chances of getting burned by the sun’s rays.
  • You are just as likely to get too much sun on a cloudy or hazy day as you are on a sunny one. UV rays are strong enough to burn your skin even on cloudy days.

Sun safety tips:

  • Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin. A long-sleeved shirt and long pants with a tight weave are best.
  • Wear a wide brimmed hat and wrap around sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays.
  • Seek shade, especially during the midday hours of 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. when UV rays are strongest.
  • In addition to sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, apply lip balm with an SPF factor.
  • Avoid tanning salons.

Use Bug Repellent

The best defense against mosquito and tick bites is applying insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient (CDC recommends DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus). Follow the directions on the package and reapply to your skin and clothing as directed.

Want to keep the bugs away? Bite prevention facts and tips:

  • West Nile virus (WNV) risk increases during the summer and fall, as the virus is most commonly spread by a bite from an infected mosquito.
  • Mosquitoes that spread WNV are most active at dusk and dawn. Plan indoor activities during peak mosquito hours or wear repellent and long sleeves and pants while outside.
  • Ticks are often found in long grass and brush. Use a repellent to keep ticks off and best to wear long pants, long sleeves and socks.
  • Use sunscreen and insect repellent when outdoors to protect your skin from sun exposure and insect bites.  In general, the recommendation is to apply sunscreen first, followed by repellent. You can also apply insect repellent to your clothing, rather than directly to your skin.
  • Always check yourself and children thoroughly for ticks after you have been outside. When you’re outside with a pet, be sure to check your animal for ticks too.  (See instructions on removing ticks.)

Keep Skin Clean

A father putting a bandages on his son's knee.

Wash your face with soap or mild cleanser and water in the morning, evening, and after exercising. Clean skin means there is less chance of clogged pores that lead to acne – not only in the summer months, but year round. Frequent hand washing with soap and water will decrease your odds of catching – or spreading – a summertime cold or infection.

If you get a cut or scratch while outside, be sure to properly clean and dress the wound with water and soap to remove dirt, keep germs away, and promote the healing process. Bacteria that produce tetanus toxin and may cause tetanus disease (lockjaw) are found in contaminated areas such as dirt or soil, on metal, and in animal intestines. If barefoot inside or outside, be sure to watch your step.

Clean skin facts and tips:

  • Rinse off your body after swimming to remove salt or chemicals.
  • Tetanus enters the body through a break in the skin, so avoid infection: keep wounds clean and bandaged.
  • Tetanus vaccine is available and requires a booster approximately every 10 years. Ask your physician if you’re due for a booster.

Use bug repellent, wear sunscreen, and keep your skin clean. These skin care tips will help you stay healthy over the summer months and promote a safe and enjoyable season.

For More Information

USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web PortalDepartment of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348, 24 Hours/Every Day - cdcinfo@cdc.gov

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