Sun Safety Flashcards
Sun exposure is the same as…
ultraviolet radiation (UVR)
UVR is a…
small portion of the sun’s rays, but a main cause of skin damage from the sun
Complications for…
- sunburn
- premature aging
- skin cancers
- cataracts
- photodermatomes
UVC:
- 200-290 nm
- mainly screened out by ozone
- absorbed by dead cell layer of stratum corneum
- doesn’t cause skin cancer
UVB:
- 290-320 nm
- “sunburn radiation”
- primary inducer of skin cancer
- vitamin D3 synthesis
UVA:
- 320-400 nm
- premature photoaging and photosensitivity reactions
- contributes to skin cancers
Nonmelanoma skin cancers are the…
most common cancer type in the US
Skin cancer has a strong correlation with…
UVR exposure
Photodermatomes are…
skin disorders precipitated by exposure to sunlight
- reaction due to a photosensitivity
Photoallergy:
- not dose related
- immunologic
- usually occurs with prior exposure
Phototoxicity:
- dose related
- not immunologic
- often with first exposure
Medications that can induce photosensitivity:
- amiodarone
- antibiotics
- naproxen
- accutane (isotretinoin)
- diuretics
Examples of antibiotics that induce photosensitivity:
- bactrim (sufamethoxazole/trimethoprim)
- ciprofloxacin/levafloxacin
- doxycycline
Examples of diuretics that induce photosensitivity:
- HCTZ
- Lasix (furosemide)
Short term prevention goals:
avoid/minimize sunburns, photosensitivity reactions, and UVR induced photodermatoses
Long term prevention goals:
prevent skin cancer and avoid premature aging of the skin
Monitoring moles for…
- A: asymmetric shape
- B: border irregularity or poorly defined borders
- C: color variation within same mole
- D: diameter > 6 mm
- E: evolving
Risk factors:
- fair skin that always burns or has history of > 1 serious sunburn
- blonde/red hair
- blue, green, or gray eyes
- history of freckling
- previous growth on skin or lips caused by UVR exposure
- fam history of melanoma
- current use of immunosuppressive drug or photosensitizing agents
Prevention:
- avoid sun exposure
- protective clothing
- sunscreen
Avoiding sun exposure is the best approach for patients who…
have risk factors for developing UVR induced problems
Avoiding sun exposure is the only option for those with…
allergies to all sun protectant ingredients or infants < 6 months
Highest intensity of the sun is from…
10 am to 4 pm
There is a greater exposure at…
- higher altitudes
- latitudes closer to equator
- in areas of less tree coverage
- spring and summer
With cloud coverage:
- 70-90% of UVR penetrate through clouds
- only eliminates heat
- false sense of security
T/F: light colored surfaces won’t reflect UVR
F
With water, about ______ of UVR penetrates through
95%
Dry clothes reflect ______ UVR
almost all
Wet clothes allow transmission of…
50% of UVR
____ don’t penetrate windows, but ____ does
UVB, UVA
Most car windshields filter….
UVA
T/F: side windows of cars usually filter UVA
F, they don’t
Minimal erythema dose (MED):
minimum UVR dose that produces clearly marginated erythema in irradiated site
- used to calculate SPF
How to calculate SPF:
MED on protected skin/MED on unprotected skin
SPF 15 blocks ____ of UVB
93%
SPF 30 blocks ____ of UVB
96.7%
SPF 40 blocks ____ of UVB
97.5%
Broad spectrum of sunscreen protects against…
UVA and UVB
To reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging, one should use…
broad spectrum and SPF 15
Water-resistant is effective for either…
40-80 min while swimming or sweating
Water-resistant sunscreen is usually better with…
cream-based formulations
Highest SPF is…
50+
SPF has to have…
drug facts on all labels
Cosmetics are considered a drug if…
it makes any therapeutic claims and must then include proper labeling
For combination products, each active ingredient must contribute a minimum SPF of…
2
Chemical sunscreens:
- active ingredient absorbs at least 85% of UVR at 290-320 nm
- may transmit at UVR > 320 nm
Physical sunscreens:
- reflect and scatter UVR at 290-777 nm
- minimizes suntan and sunburn
Physical sunscreens have…
zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
Physical sunscreens are a type of…
broad spectrum protectants
Physical sunscreens are beneficial for those who…
can’t limit sun exposure
Adverse effects of sunscreens:
- photosensitivity or allergic reactions
- labels have to say stop use if rash occurs
One should select sunscreens that are…
broad spectrum and has SPF 15+
Skin types that burn easily and tan minimally should use…
SPF 30+
Skin types with acne should use…
noncomedogenic products
If one has history of sensitivity to sunscreen, they should use…
hypoallergenic and fragrance free products
If one has dry skin, they avoid sunscreens w/…
ethyl and isopropyl alcohols
Poor protection is usually due to…
- inadequate amount
- infrequent reapplication
- neglected areas
Application of sunscreen:
- 15-30 minutes before exposure
- reapply at least every 2 hours
- reapply after each time you swim, towel dry, or sweat excessively
- watch expiration dates
FDA recommends about _______ amount of sunscreen
2mg/cm2 of BSA
Face and neck requires _____ amount of sunscreen
1/2 tsp
Arms and shoulders require _____ amount of sunscreen
1/2 tsp to each side
Torso requires _____ amount of sunscreen
1/2 tsp to front and back
Legs and top of feet require _____ amount of sunscreen
1 tsp to each side
Total amount of sunscreen needed for full body:
4.5 tsp or 22.5 mL
UVA and UVB can be related to ____ in eyes
cataract formation
Cosmetic sunglasses have a minimum absorption of…
- UVB: 70%
- UVA: 20%
Cosmetic sunglasses are recommended for…
nonharsh sunlight
General purpose sunglasses have a minimum absorption of…
- UVB: 95%
- UVA: 60%
General purpose sunglasses are recommended for…
sunny environments
Special purpose sunglasses have a minimum absorption of…
- UVB: 99%
- UVA: 60%
Special purpose sunglasses are recommended for…
bright environments
Sunburns are a reaction to…
exposure to UVA and UVB rays
Development of burns/tans depend on…
- type and amount of radiation
- skin pigmentation
- skin hydration
- thickness of epi
Treatment goals of sunburn:
- relieve symptoms
- promote healing
- protect burn from further injury
- minimize scarring
Contraindications for self treatment of burns:
- > 2% BSA
- stage 3 or 4 burns
- burns involving eyes, ears, face, hands, feet
- old people
- immunocompromised people
If no blistering, you can…
- put area in cool tap water for 10-30 minutes
- cleanse area w/ water and mild soap
- apply non-adherent dressing or skin protectant
If blistering, you can…
- put area in cool tap water for 10-30 minutes
- cleanse area w/ water and mild soap
- avoid rupturing blisters
- hydrocolloid dressing
NSAIDs for sunburns are helpful for…
inflammation during first 24 hours after sunburn
Acetaminophen is useful when _______ for sunburns
patient can’t use NSAID
- pain relief only
Topical anesthetics (benzocaine 0.5-20% or lidocaine 2-5%):
- apply for max of 3-4 times daily
- short duration of action (15-45 min)
- user higher concentration products on intact skin
Aloe vera contains…
- vitamins A, B, C, and E
- enzymes
- amino acid
- sugars
Aloe vera has been shown to reduce…
the number of days to wound healing
- probably from moisturizing effect
