Non-melanoma skin cancers. Unlike melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancers are rarely fatal. Nevertheless, untreated they can spread, causing more serious health problems.
Actinic Keratoses. These sun-induced growths occur on body areas exposed to the sun. The face, hands, forehead and the "V" of the neck are especially susceptible to this type of blemish. They are pre-malignant, but left untreated, actinic keratoses can become malignant. Look for raised, reddish, rough-textured growths. See a dermatologist promptly if you notice these growths.
Premature aging of the skin. (Photoaging) Chronic exposure to the sun causes changes in the skin called actinic, or solar, degeneration. The skin over time becomes thick, wrinkled, and leathery. This condition has often been referred to as "premature aging" of the skin. Since it occurs gradually, often manifesting itself many years after the majority of a person's exposure to the sun, photoaging is often regarded as an unavoidable condition, a normal part of growing older. With proper protection from UV radiation, however, photoaging can be substantially avoided.
Cataracts. Cataracts are a form of eye damage, a loss of transparency in the lens which clouds vision. Left untreated cataracts can rob people of vision. Research has shown that UV radiation increases the likelihood of certain cataracts. Although curable with modern eye surgery, cataracts diminish the eyesight of millions of Americans, and necessitate millions of dollars of eye surgery each year. Other kinds of eye damage include:
- pterygium - tissue growth on the white of the eye that can block vision.
- skin cancer around the eyes
- degeneration of the macula - the part of the retina near the center, where visual perception is most acute.
- photokeratitis - "snow blindness" - painful but temporary damage to the outer layers of the cornea.
All of these problems could be lessened with proper eye protection from UV radiation.
Immune system suppression. Scientists have found that sunburn can alter the distribution and function of disease-fighting white blood cells in humans for up to 24 hours after exposure to the sun. Repeated exposure to UV radiation may cause more long-lasting damage to the body's immune system. Mild sunburns can directly suppress the immune functions of human skin where the sunburn occurred, even in people with dark skin.
All of these dangers can be easily avoided by taking simple precautions.
