A recent survey by the American Academy of Dermatology showed that only 13% of Americans plan to use sun protection when going for walks or hikes in cold weather.
Not a small number of people believe that sun protection is needed only during the warm weather months. especially at the beach.
They are mistaken, according to a news release from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
“Many people don’t realize that you need to use sun protection in the winter,” said Dawn Davis, M.D., a dermatologist and professor of dermatology at Mayo Clinic Rochester, said in the news release. “It’s easy to get sunburned during colder months because snow reflects the sun’s damaging rays.”
A recent AAD survey showed that only 13% of Americans plan to use sun protection when going for walks or hikes in cold weather. Even fewer — 4%— plan for it when shoveling snow, and only 6% during outdoor games, exercise or sports in cold weather. According to the survey, just 1 in 7 Americans are unaware that the sun’s ultraviolet rays are reflected by snow, water and sand.
Skin cancer is one of the most common yet preventable forms of cancer, according to the news release. At least 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime and exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun is the most modifiable risk factor for skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, invasive melanoma accounts for only 1% of all skin cancer cases but the majority of deaths. The society projects that in 2024, an estimated 100,640 new cases of invasive and 99,700 cases of in situ melanoma will be diagnosed in the U.S. and almost 8,300people will die from the disease.
Davis’ recommendations for reducing sun exposure include seeking shade between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., wearing sun-protective clothing (long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses) and applying broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher to all skin not covered by clothing.
Ruxolitinib Cream Proves Safe for Young Children with Atopic Dermatitis
July 22nd 2024These results were found in the TRuE-AD3 study that was presented at the Society for Pediatric Dermatology meeting earlier this month, revealing the latest round of data collected in the TRuE-AD1 and TRuE-AD2 series of studies.
Read More
Study Reveals Severe Impact of Atopic Dermatitis on Women's Quality of Life and Reproductive Health
July 15th 2024Although AD is a common condition, it’s impact on sexual function and reproductive health is not well understood. In addition, many women with AD are undertreated during pregnancy due to concerns about medication side effects.
Read More
High Sodium Intake Associated to Increased Risk of Severe Atopic Dermatitis
June 20th 2024Researchers who conducted the study, of the Universities of California in San Francisco and Berkley, suggest that cutting down on sodium could be a more cost-effective and low-risk way to help manage AD.
Read More
Highly Contagious and Hard-to-Treat Fungal Skin Infections Are Emerging, Experts Warn
June 6th 2024Experts are urging healthcare providers to be aware of these two new forms of ringworm or jock itch, known as Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII (TMVII) and Trichophyton indotineae or T. indotineae.
Read More