It’s summertime in Houston, Texas, and the sun is out in full force. Protecting your loved one’s skin from sunburn is even more important with summer’s long days and intense sunlight. At IPR Healthcare, we understand you want to keep your loved one’s skin safe, so we’ve laid out some summer skin safety tips:
- Review Your Loved One’s Medication
If your loved one takes a daily medication, be sure to check the bottle. Some prescriptions can make your loved one sensitive to the sun, meaning they can easily suffer a bad sunburn. You should be able to find this information on the bottle, but you can always speak to a pharmacist if you have any questions. If your loved one’s prescriptions make them sensitive to sunlight, it’s important to limit the amount of sunlight exposure they get.
- Wear Sunscreen
The best line of defense for skin against the sun is a high-SPF sunscreen. Aim for a SPF of 30 or higher. The sunscreen should be water resistant and protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. When applying sunscreen, it’s important to pay attention to your loved one’s hands and feet, along with any areas on the head with little or no hair. Reapply sunscreen to both yourself and your loved one every two hours.
- Stick to the Shade
To avoid damage to your loved one’s skin, stick to shady areas when you go outdoors. Thankfully, many outdoor areas in Houston, Texas, offer shaded seating. However, it may be beneficial to bring an umbrella for your loved one in case your destination does not have covered areas.
- Check the UV Index
If you plan on going out with your loved one, check the UV index before you leave. Essentially, the UV index allows you to determine how dangerous the UV rays are going to be for you and your loved one’s skin. A higher UV index indicates an increased risk of sunburn. If the UV index is above 5, it may be best to wait to go outdoors until the risk for sunburn is lower.
Skin protection is important, especially during the summer. These tips will help ensure your loved one’s skin will be protected all season long. For professional home care services in Houston, Texas, give IPR Healthcare a call at (713) 592-6776.
