Sunburn Risk Factors

With the warmer weather finally arriving here in the Northeast, I thought I might share the following:

Thursday, April 19, 2007Health Tip: Risk Factors
for Sunburn

The young and fair-skinned are at greater
risk(HealthDay News) -- Certain people are more susceptible to sunburn than
others because of age, skin type or medications they are taking. The U.S.
National Library of Medicine says these factors increase a person's risk of
sunburn:
Babies and children have skin that is more sensitive than adult
skin, so they are more likely to be badly sunburned if unprotected.

People with fair skin are more likely to get a
sunburn than people with darker skin -- although all skin types and complexions
can burn.
Certain medications, including some antibiotics and birth control
pills, can increase the likelihood of a sunburn.

Using a tanning bed can cause dangerous
sunburns.
Being outside during the sun's peak hours -- 10:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. -- and being on reflective sand or water can increase one's risk of severe
sunburn.

-- Diana Kohnle
Vitacost.com