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Sun care Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, June 2009.

Answers to questions about sun care

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

How much sun is safe for my skin?

Although excessive sun exposure can be damaging to your skin, small amounts of sunlight are good for you. Your skin produces vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. The amount of sunlight you need to produce enough vitamin D depends on where you are and the time of day.

Explanation

Being exposed to too much sunlight can be damaging to your skin, causing early ageing and can lead to cancer. However, some sunlight is good for you since it helps you to produce vitamin D.

When your skin is exposed to the UV radiation in sunlight it makes vitamin D. Vitamin D is a hormone that increases the amount of calcium that is absorbed from your bloodstream. You need calcium to build and maintain strong, healthy bones. You can get enough vitamin D with a small amount of sunlight. About half an hour of sun exposure, two to three times a week, to your face, arms, hands or back will give you enough vitamin D. You shouldn't stay out in the sun long enough to burn so if the sun is strong you will need less time or use sunscreen.

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to problems caused by a lack of calcium in your bones, making them softer than normal. In children this is known as rickets. The thigh bones of your child's leg can bend, leading to bowed legs or "knocked knees". Adults may suffer from pain and bone weakness (osteomalacia).

You may not get enough vitamin D if you:

  • don't get enough sunlight - in the UK, 30 minutes of sun exposure every day to the face is enough to correct vitamin D deficiency
  • have a strict vegetarian diet - fatty fish and eggs are a good source of vitamin D so vegetarians may need to take a vitamin D supplement
  • have darker skin - this reduces the amount of vitamin D your body produces, so you may need to spend longer in the sun

Vitamin D supplements of 10 micrograms per day are recommended if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you live in a care home. Breast milk contains only a low level of vitamin D so you should take a supplement to ensure that your baby gets enough. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more advice. If you live in a care home, you may need to take a supplement if you don't go outside regularly.

Further information

Sources

  • Oxford Textbook of Medicine. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005: Vol 1: 1049
  • Holick MF. Vitamin D: the underappreciated D-lightful hormone that is important for skeletal and cellular health. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes 2002; 9:87-98. www.co-endocrinology.com
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I have found a new lump on my skin what should I do?

Most skin lesions such as moles, cysts, warts or skin tags aren't cancerous. If you have a new mole or lump, or if an existing one has changed, you should see your doctor.

Explanation

There are many different types of skin lesion, most of which aren't cancerous. These include those listed below.

  • Moles are small, dark areas of skin. You can be born with moles but most develop during your life.
  • Keratosis is scaly skin that can be brown or pink. Keratoses can occur anywhere on your body.
  • Warts are small, rough lesions that are caused by infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV).
  • Skin tags are small, flesh-coloured bumps on your skin. They often form in places where the skin creases or gets rubbed such as your neck, armpits and groin.

Skin cancer usually forms in areas of your skin that are exposed to the sun. There are various types of skin cancer and each can look different.

  • Non-melanomas such as a basal cell carcinoma, for example, can start as a small red, pink or shiny lump.
  • Squamous cell carcinomas often appear as small scaly or hard areas of skin with a red or pink base.
  • Melanoma usually starts as a dark spot or mole on your skin. If a melanoma spreads to other parts of your body, you can develop other symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes (glands throughout your body that are part of your immune system).

Symptoms that may indicate skin cancer include any mole or lesion that:

  • gets bigger - especially over 7mm (a quarter of an inch) in diameter
  • changes shape - look for an irregular edge
  • changes colour - if it darkens, becomes patchy or multishaded
  • becomes inflamed
  • is itchy or painful
  • bleeds or is crusty

These symptoms don't necessarily mean you have skin cancer, but if you have any of them you should visit your GP for advice.

Further information

Sources

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How can I tell if my child has heatstroke and what should I do?

If you think your child has heatstroke (sometimes called sunstroke) you should get him or her out of the sun and into a cool, shady place as soon as possible. Give your child plenty of fluids to stop dehydration. If he/she has a temperature of above 39ºC (you can use an oral thermometer to measure your child's temperature), you should seek immediate medical help.

Explanation

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are conditions caused by hot weather. Heat stroke often occurs in children who have been outside on a very hot day, without enough protection from the sun.

Heat exhaustion occurs when your body becomes overheated soon after you have been exposed to too much sun, or you get sunburnt. Generally, symptoms include nausea, headaches and cramps. If you think your child may have heat exhaustion, take him or her to a cool place as soon as possible. Give your child plenty of fluids to drink as this will help prevent dehydration. You can help to cool your child down by using a sponge or cloth soaked in lukewarm, but not cold, water. Severe cases of heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke.

Heat stroke is a more serious condition caused by a failure in your body's natural temperature regulation. Heat stroke has similar symptoms to heat exhaustion but is more severe. You can wrap your child in a wet sheet to help cool them down but don't use iced or cold water. If your child has a temperature above 39ºC, or if his or her skin has become dry and flushed, you should seek immediate medical help.

Further information

Sources

  • Heat stroke. GP Notebook. www.gpnotebook.com, accessed 7 March 2008
  • Sunbeds. British Medical Association (BMA). www.bma.org.uk, accessed 6 March 2008

  • Preventing harmful health effects of heat waves. World Health Organization (WHO). 2006. www.who.int
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Related topics

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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: June 2009

Sun care factsheet

 

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