REDUCING
YOUR RISK OF SUNBURN AND SUN-INDUCED SKIN
DAMAGE
•
Avoid excessive exposure outdoors around
midday in summer in sunny climates
•
Cover
as much of your skin as convenient with
suitable clothing when so exposed .
•
Wear a cosmetically
suitable, combined UVB and UVA sunscreen
with a high sun protection factor (SPF15–25)
and a high UVA protection (often designated
as a star rating – * to ****)
•
Re-apply the sunscreen
every hour or so if you are outdoors for
prolonged periods and after swimming, perspiration
or exercise
•
Consider also using
a sunscreen incorporated into a moisturiser
throughout the summer on the face and hands
•
Don’t pick intensely
sunny venues as your holiday destinations
Infection
Scabies
Scabies is a common infestation with a small mite
that lives in the upper surface of the skin. The
mites are passed from person to person. The scabies
rash varies, but typically itches so much that
people feel that they have never had anything
like it before. There are often patches of eczema,
and the tell-tale marks of small pustules and
tracks around the wrists and in the finger webs.
In children under 18 months of age, pustules are
sometimes also seen on the soles of the feet.
Treatment is available over the counter
at your chemists. The pharmacist will discuss
the products with you, and they all come with
written instructions within the packaging as to
how to use them. However, diagnosis is sometimes
difficult and, given the upheaval of treatment,
you may want to confirm the diagnosis with your
GP. This is particularly the case for children
and babies, where treatment advice can be slightly
different.
All products are creams
or liquids which are applied to the whole body
below the ears and chin. Although it is necessary
to wash all clothing and bed linen used 24 hours
before treatment, it is seldom advised to do more
than this. Important aspects of treatment include:
•
Apply
the treatment thoroughly to all body sites
below the chin and ears. This includes between
the buttocks and toes and around the genitals.
If you are not thorough, mites may spread
back over the body.
•
Treat
everyone in the household. Not all household
members will be itching, but this is not
a certain guide as to whether they are infested.
Some people will not itch and it is common
not to itch in the early stages of infestation.
•
Close family contacts
who are itching and members of their household
may also need treating.
•
When treating more than
one person for one outbreak, all people should
be treated at the same time – otherwise
the in-festation can spread back on to a treated
person before the un-treated one applies the
cream.
•
The itch may persist
for months after treatment, although it usually
gradually diminishes during that time. Some
products will recommend applying the treatment
again after 7 to 14 days.
Scabies
is a mite infestation of the skin, causing
an intensely itchy rash.
