August is sun safety month for good reason. We are now in the dog days of summer. Philadelphia has elevated humidity, temperatures in the 80s-90s, and plenty of sun. If you don’t prepare accordingly when venturing out of the house, you will end up with a painful sunburn, blistering, and sun damage. Let’s take a quick look at a few tips that will help you enjoy your time in the sun without putting your health in jeopardy.
Spend 5 Minutes Preparing for Sun Exposure
It won’t take long to prepare your skin for exposure to the summer sun. Grab your sunscreen and slather it on your face, neck, arms, and legs. Don’t forget to add some sunscreen to the tops of your hands as well. However, the sunscreen you select should have an SPF of 15 at a bare minimum. Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a 30 SPF or higher if you plan on spending more than an hour in the sun.
Continue to add Sunscreen
Merely adding sunscreen before your Philadelphia home care provider arrives to help you enjoy some fun in the sun will not suffice. You will suffer skin damage and possibly even be sunburnt if you do not reapply a high SPF sunscreen at least once every two hours.
Schedule Your Time in the Sun
Take some time to think about how long you plan on remaining outdoors and the hours of the day when you will be subjected to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Try to plan your Philadelphia home care schedule so you remain indoors between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon and you won’t be subjected to the sun’s most powerful UV rays.
Carefully Treat Your Sunburn
Spend enough time in the sun while enjoying everything Philadelphia has to offer and you will likely end up with a sunburn. Even if you continue to apply a high SPF sunscreen throughout the day, your skin is likely to burn. However, you are not powerless in the aftermath of excessive sun exposure.
Load up on the water and sports drinks with electrolytes to help your body recover. Use a cool compress or a lotion/gel with soothing aloe vera and your skin will release heat. If you are still in pain, take an aspirin or another anti-inflammatory medication and it won’t take long for the discomfort to dissipate.
Above all, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a Philadelphia home care provider or a medical specialist. Minimize your exposure to the sun throughout the summer and don’t hesitate to visit a skin care specialist should you notice any unusual marks or discolorations on your skin.
Contact Aging With Comfort Home Care Philadelphia Today
Our Philadelphia home care providers are here to improve your quality of life or that of a loved one. If you, a family member, or friend can benefit from home care, contact us today. You can reach Aging With Comfort by phone at 267-461-1506.