BRIGG PEOPLE TAKE CARE WHEN HAVING FUN IN THE SUN

We saw Coun Rob Waltham out running in Bigby High Road, Brigg, on a sunny evening  in Brigg earlier this week. And when we opened our email in-box today we found he'd donned his health chief's hat at North Lincolnshire Council to issue a timely reminder about taking care in the sun.
Rob and his colleagues have some good advice for us all to consider, whether sitting in the beer gardens at Wetherspoon's White Horse pub, the Nelthorpe Arms or the White Hart,  doing the gardening, making a day trip to an east coast seaside resort  or venturing in search of hotter climes abroad.

PUBLIC HEALTH ADVICE FROM NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

As people prepare to go on their summer holidays or have fun in the sun at home it’s important they are aware of the risks of too much sun and know how to keep themselves safe.
Everyone needs some sun exposure so our bodies produce vitamin D, which is necessary to absorb calcium and form healthy bones. Too much exposure to sunlight though is responsible for damaging the skin, premature ageing and increasing the risk of developing skin cancer.
Dr Faisel Baig, a Scunthorpe GP and lead clinician for Unplanned Care with North Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group said “While you are out having fun with the children during the holidays remember to protect them from the harmful rays of the sun with a hat and high factor sunblock and don’t forget to reapply after they have been in the paddling pool or the new Splashpads at Normanby Hall and Central Park.”
Sunlight contains two types of ultraviolet radiation: UVA and UVB. It is the exposure to these rays that can lead to damage.
UVB rays are mainly responsible for burning the skin whereas UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply. UVA is associated with ageing the skin (wrinkling, leathering, sagging and other light-induced effects of ageing). 
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is a measure of a sunscreens ability to protect from UVB damaging the skin. However, sunscreens vary in their ability to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays so try to take notice of how good your sunscreen is at protecting your skin.
Most sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher do an excellent job of protecting against UVB. For example:
SPF 15 filters out approximately 93 per cent of all incoming UVB rays; 
SPF 30 keeps out 97 per cent; and 
SPF 50 filters out 98 per cent. 
They may all seem like small differences between the SPFs but if you are light-sensitive or have a history of skin cancer, those extra percentages will make a difference. 
They may all seem like small differences between the SPFs but if you are light-sensitive or have a history of skin cancer, those extra percentages will make a difference. 
No sunscreen is perfect though. Following the important tips below will help ensure you help your skin stay healthy, youthful and burn free:
No matter what the sunscreen strength, apply it to your skin at least every two hours. Reapply more frequently if you’re in and out of the water and/or playing sports. 
Reddening of the skin is a reaction to UVB rays only. Damage by UVA may well be underway without you knowing so follow other sun safety procedures such as covering up or staying out of the sun between 11am and 3pm. 
Wear a good quality sunscreen, at least SPF 15. 
Check the ingredients to make sure it covers for UVB and UVA. 
Everyone over the age of six months should wear sunscreen on a daily basis even if the sun isn’t out. Children under the age of six months should be kept out of the sun as their skin is still too delicate. 
Coun Rob Waltham, Cabinet Member for Health and Strategic Projects, said: “We all know that too much of something can be harmful to us and by taking unnecessary risks can lead to tragedy. We want people to stay safe this summer by being prepared, aware and sensible. 
“Everyone needs a little sunlight to ensure we get enough vitamin D to keep us healthy. But too much sun and burning the skin is not something to be taken lightly. It’s important that people follow a good skin care routine when in the sun – from applying sunscreen regularly to staying in the shade when the sun is at its hottest.”