| Getting sunburned is no fun. In severe cases, it's so | | | | painkiller, and drink plenty of fluids. In a way, it's |
| painful that you can hardly even move, and even | | | | similar to having a short-lived virus. |
| when the pain finally subsides after a couple of days, | | | | With prolonged sunburn or repeated sunburn |
| it leaves you pink and itchy. And to make matters | | | | occurring at intervals over years, the cell damage can |
| worse, prolonged sun exposure can even lead to | | | | get progressively worse, which eventually causes skin |
| premature aging and a higher risk of skin cancer. | | | | cells to become deteriorated and aged-looking in a |
| When you're in a boat on a body of water, the risk | | | | way that doesn't heal. Also, the DNA damage caused |
| of sunburn is high. There's no protection from trees | | | | by the UV rays can eventually cause the cells to |
| or other shade-casting structures, and the surface of | | | | become cancerous. Most skin cancers are relatively |
| the water tends to reflect a large amount of sunlight, | | | | benign, but there are some rare cases that can be |
| which compounds your sun exposure. | | | | life-threatening. |
| So, if you're going to be boating, it's important to | | | | How to protect against sunburn |
| take measures to protect yourself and your family | | | | In light of these risks, if you're going boating, you |
| against the harmful effects of the sun. | | | | have to protect yourself. Even if you have darker |
| What is sunburn? | | | | skin pigmentation, while you may not get severe |
| Sunburn is a direct effect of ultraviolent radiation. | | | | sunburn, it's still possible for UV rays to penetrate |
| Ultraviolent waves are waves of light that are | | | | down to your cell DNA, so it cannot hurt to use |
| outside of the visual spectrum. In other words, it's | | | | some sunscreen. |
| not the light you can see that gets you; it's the light | | | | As much as possible, avoid prolonged sun exposure. |
| you can't see. These UV rays penetrate into your | | | | If your boat doesn't already have a cover, invest in |
| cells, causing direct DNA damage, which triggers | | | | one, and spend some time underneath it every once |
| defense mechanisms in your body. Many of the cells | | | | in a while. |
| initially die, and then your body produces extra | | | | Most importantly, use a sunburn with an SPF of at |
| melanin, which is what causes your skin to look extra | | | | least 30. Apply it 30 minutes before going out in the |
| tan after a sunburn has healed. | | | | sun, and keep applying it every hour or so. If you're |
| And because sunburn causes your body to take | | | | going to get in the water, re-apply your sunscreen |
| severe defensive measures, this can take its toll on | | | | after getting out. Don't forget to apply it to spots |
| other areas of functioning. That's why many | | | | like your ears and feet. |
| sufferers of severe sunburn tend to get fatigue, | | | | Finally, because the sun can also do damage to the |
| headaches, fever, and severe hydration. Thus, when | | | | eyes, be sure to wear sunglasses that have UV |
| you have sunburn, it's important to rest up, take a | | | | protection. |