The sun and its health effects
You do not have to get sunburnt to damage your skin - and sun damage can occur on cloudy days. If you live in Queensland, you are at risk of developing skin cancer.
Skin cancer
Skin conditions
Eye injuries
Heat related illnesses
Skin cancer
Skin cancer can be deadly. Generally it develops as a result of years of over-exposure to the sun.
Basal Cell Carcinoma - This is a common and non-fatal form of cancer that starts as a small lump which flattens out as it grows. It can be easily treated and cured.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma - This is also common, however it is more likely to spread to other parts of the body.
Malignant Melanoma - This is the most dangerous type of skin cancer which often starts as a dark mole. About 1,200 Australians die every year from Melanoma.
Sunspots are not a form of skin cancer, but they do indicate excessive exposure to solar UV radiation. Sunspots are small, scaly patches of skin that generally occur on the arms, face, nose and ears.
Symptoms
Be on the lookout for early warning signs of skin cancer, and contact a doctor if you are concerned. Regularly examine your skin for symptoms that include:
- an unusual skin condition or a lump, bump, spot or sore that wont heal within a month
- a sore, ulcer or scaly patch
- a white patch on the lips that wont heal
- a mole or freckle that grows quickly or changes shape, colour or appearance
- a mole that bleeds or itches.
Skin conditions
As well as cancer, solar UV radiation can cause skin conditions such as:
- sunburn
- premature skin ageing (wrinkling)
- lasting skin damage
- photosensitivity (a severe reaction to exposure to sunlight, often associated with chemical interaction).
Eye injuries
While eyebrows and eye sockets provide our eyes with some protection from the sun, solar UV rays can cause damage to the eye lens or cornea. Most of these UV rays are reflected from 15 degrees above and 15 degrees below the horizon of the eyes.
Both short and long-term eye injuries may occur. Symptoms include inflammation, swelling and increasing sensitivity to light.
Heat related illnesses
Very hot and extreme heat conditions can lead to heat related health problems. Types of heat related illnesses include:
- heat cramps
- heat exhaustion
- heat stroke
- prickly heat
- heat fainting
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