8
Wednesday, June 11, 1997
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Precautions can prevent painful sunburn
By Randall Rock, chief of staff, Watkins Memorial Health Center Special to the Kansas
Summer work and fun often result in prolonged exposure to the sun. The short term effects of excessive exposure to midday sun include redness, pain, itching and dryness and are well known to most. Blistering and very significant discomfort prompt many students to seek medical attention for sunburn each year. Long term effects of
recurrent injury due to excessive sun exposure may include a prematurely aged appearance and an increased risk of developing certain skin cancers.
Limiting midday sun exposure, long sleeves and wide-brimmed hats can be helpful in minimizing the damaging effects of ultraviolet light. The consistent use of sunscreens of sun protection factors of 15 or greater is recommended. Sunscreens should be reapplied after bathing or sweating. Replace fluids to avoid dehydration.
Certain medications may have a photosensitizing effect and make sunburn more likely to occur for a given amount of sun exposure. Tetracycline (often used for acne), sulfonamides (frequently used for urinary tract infections) and thiazides (a diuretic) may have this effect in some users.
with exercise.
There is no specific treatment for sunburn and in general the symptoms listed above will abate over several days to weeks
as the skin recoveries from the burn injury. Cool showers, moisturizing lotions and antihistamines may reduce itching. Aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofin may be used to relieve pain symptoms. Exercise, sweating, hot water and additional sun exposure may exacerbate and prolong symptoms. Use of antibacterial soap can limit the risk of infection to the injured skin. Tetanus immunization should be current- within the last 10 years.
Medical evaluation is indicated if significant blistering has occurred, pain is uncontrolled, tetanus update is needed or signs of infection or dehydration are present. Evaluation and treatment is available at Watkins Health Center for sunburn and other concerns 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday during the summer session. Call 864-9500 for further information on services and scheduling. The pharmacy at Watkins offers an over-the-counter selection in addition to prescription services.
Atmospheric indices measure mold, tires
Airborne matter annoy asthmatics allergy sufferers
By Tom Winter
Kansan staff writer
Every evening Channel 9 weatherman Bryan Busby rattles off the rubber index at the end of the summer weather forecast.
The rubber index?
Meteorologists often list atmospheric indexes as part of their weather forecasts. These indexes track pollen, mold, ozone and tire particulate (rubber) in the atmosphere.
Charles Barns, an allergy and immunology researcher at Children's Mercy Hospital, monitors the pollen, mold and tire particulate levels in the Kansas City area. These substances and their importance varies.
"Indexes are a reminder for persons who know they have trouble," Barns said.
The tire particulate index, sometimes called the rubber or latex index, is a recent addition. Tire particulate is released into the air from radial tires made with latex, Barns said. While tire particulate is not a known cause of allergies, it is being researched as a factor in allergic reactions, he said.
Linda Lyle, staff physician at Watkins Memorial Health Center, said
"When rainfall increases, pollen increases. However, rainy days have low pollen counts due to a washing out of the air."
Charles Barns
Allergy and immunology researcher
latex allergies are increasing as a problem although she has not seen it much at the University of Kansas.
gies. The symptoms could also indicate a cold.
"Problems with latex are most commonly associated with latex condoms," Lyle said.
Aside from being a possible allergen, rubber is also an indicator of the general particulate level in the atmosphere. Barns said.
The most observed index, however, is the pollen index. Barns said that many people are allergic to pollen which typically causes runny noses, sneezing and irritated eyes.
However, Lyle said not all things that run away noses are aller-
Barns said one factor that effects the pollen count is the light cycle. "Pollen producers such as ragweed have higher pollen counts in the early summer and lower counts in the late summer," he said.
"When rainfall increases, pollen increases," Barns said. "However, rainy days have low pollen counts due to a washing out of the air," he said.
Rainfall also causes fluctuations in the pollen count.
Barns said that mold is another important index, measured by the concentration of spores in the air. Molds can be particularly troublesome because many people who are asthmatics are also allergic to molds.
Since asthmatic episodes can be deadly, the mold count must be carefully monitored by those individuals affected. Barns said.
Another substance being more carefully monitored is ozone. Ozone in the lower atmosphere can be a problem. It can irritate the respiratory tract, produce impaired lung function and cause throat irritation, chest pain, cough and lung inflammation.
Lyle said allergies could be caused by a number of things from pollens to animal dander to medication and that sometimes it was hard to figure out the cause.
"The only way to tell what your allergies are is to do allergy testing," she said.
Lifeguards protect skin promote sunscreen use
By Kirsten Havner
Kansan staff writer
Styles have changed atop the lifeguard chairs at the Lawrence Aquatic Center.
Gone are the days when lifeguards soaked up the rays and sported a cool tan. Lifeguards now attend a seminar on skin cancer damage.
It's a lesson other swimmers should heed.
"Students are spending more time in the sun, without properly protecting their skin," said Patricia Denning, internal medical specialist at Watkins Memorial Health Center. "Because of increased exposure and the depleting ozone layer, the reported cases of melanoma are on the rise."
Melanoma, a form of skin cancer, originates in the pigment cells of the skin. When the cells, or melanocytes, become clustered together they produce a mole.
When a mole changes color, size, develops an irregular border or bleeds consistently, the threat of melanoma may be present.
"It is when a mole begins to change that we have a problem." Denning said.
Poolside professionals back Denning's advice.
"Because I am a lifeguard, I am outside all day," said Courtney Biehl, Lawrence Aquatic Center lifeguard. "I make sure to apply a lot of sun block-SPF 45 on my face and SPF 30 on my lips. Plus, I always wear a hat during the afternoon."
Denning said the best way to prevent melanoma and future skin cancer is to be aware of the sun and its damaging rays.
"We have umbrellas on all the stands and, if the rays are really intense, I'll even wear a shirt," Biehl said. "I don't do all I should. Other lifeguards apply SFF 45 sun block every hour." Biehl said.
The most sensitive areas are the shoulders, neck and the tips of the ears and nose. Therefore, Denning said, it is important to wear a hat that has a brim on all sides to ensure complete protection.
When the skin burns, it's best to avoid further exposure to the sun, generously use a mild skin lotion to replenish the moisture, and take a cool bath to soothe the heat.
Biehl said that guards even get time off if their tan gets too dark or they are sunburned.
NEWS IN BRIEF
The Associated Press
DISCOVERY BAY, Calif. — The girlfriend of a pilot accused of stockpiling cremated remains was arrested yesterday on suspicion of signing fake documents that said he scattered the ashes from his plane.
The pilot. Al Vieira, remained at large.
Denise Hembree, 42, was booked on suspicion of grand theft, conspiracy and filing false documents. She was released pending further investigation. Sat. Jerry Knutson said.
An arrest warrant was issued Saturday for Vieira accused of stockpiling thousands of boxes of remains rather than releasing them over mountains or water.
Vieira, 52, was being sought on suspicion of felony grand theft charges. He was last seen Thursday.
Authorities say the remains of up to 5,000 people may be involved.
Some 2,000 boxes of ashes were discovered Thursday in Vieira's rental storage space. On Saturday, deputies discovered thousands more.
The containers appeared to have been piling up since 1986, when Vieira established Vieira's Flying Service and contracted with some 100 California mortuaries for his bargain services.
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