Here Comes the Sun

Here comes Spring and soon the summer sun will be at our door. We need to pay special attention these days to the effects it has on our family and health system. No matter what we read there is NO safe UV Rays, so we must protect our skin our eyes our hair etc....
Sun exposure to the skin is the most preventable of all the cancer groups. Why take the risk when opportunity to avoid such a horrible health issue is in front of us daily. Ladies, lets not mix words; a "Tan" is not healthy skin color, it actually shows injury which was done to your skin. Mind or matter difference between health and fashion but it is your choice.

Children learn by example and we need to practice what we preach. "Sun Smart"

Generously apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 to all exposed skin. The term broad-spectrum means that the sunscreen provides protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays . Reapply approximately every two hours — even on cloudy days — and after swimming or sweating. Look for the AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION TM on products that meet these criteria.
Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, where possible.
Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun's rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.
Protect children from sun exposure by playing in the shade, using protective clothing, and applying sunscreen.
Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand because they reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of sunburn.
Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that may include vitamin supplements. Don't seek the sun.
Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you've been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen with it.
Check your birthday suit on your birthday. If you notice anything changing, growing,
or bleeding on your skin, see a dermatologist. Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.

There are many products which fit our individual lives. "Sun Smart" protection starts with you apply it to your normal daily health habits and you will make a difference for your future.

The UV Index provides information to help plan outdoor activities and avoid overexposure
to the sun. Developed by the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the UV Index is a national service that forecasts the amount of ultraviolet radiation expected to reach the earth's surface. For each geographic area, the UV Index is reported as a number that ranges from 1 to 11+. As shown below, the higher
the index, the greater the risk of overexposure to UV radiation.

UV INDEX NUMBER	EXPOSURE LEVEL
2 or less	Low
3-5	Moderate
6-7	High
8-10	Very High

11+

Extreme

Sun burn Treatment:

We have all fallen into the "sun burn" category so once your there there is not turning back the damage is done. So what is the most appropriate way to treat and sooth the skin?

Keep it cool. Apply cold compresses — such as a towel dampened with cool water — to the affected skin. Or take a cool bath.
Keep it moist. Apply aloe, moisturizing cream or over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to the affected skin. Beware of sunburn treatment products containing anesthetics, such as benzocaine. There's little evidence that these products are effective. In some cases, they may even irritate the skin.
Leave blisters intact. If blisters form, don't break them. You'll only slow the healing process and increase the risk of infection. If needed, lightly cover blisters with gauze.
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. If needed, take anti-inflammatory medication — such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) — according to the label instructions until redness and soreness subside. Don't give children or teenagers aspirin. It may cause Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease.
Treat peeling skin gently. Within a few days, the affected area may begin to peel. This is simply your body's way of getting rid of the top layer of damaged skin. While your skin is peeling, continue to use moisturizing cream.

Consult a doctor for sunburn treatment if:

Severe sunburn covers a large portion of your body with blisters
Sunburn is accompanied by a high fever or severe pain
Severe sunburn doesn't begin to improve within a few days

To prevent future episodes of sunburn, use sunscreen frequently and liberally. Common sense counts, too. Cover up while you're outdoors, and stay in the shade as much as possible.

Lets all make it a Safe and Healthy Summer Sun by applying good healthy sense to our activities in the out doors.

Vitamin D

400 IU

250 Softgels

$10.90

How to stay safe in the sun, and still get enough Vitamin D

Generally speaking, most of us are Vitamin D deficient. A blood test can tell you for sure, but it is safe to supplement with Vitamin D. Most health professionals suggest 1,000 IU a day.