By Erick Wikum
My close friend and training partner from Green Bay is a retired oncologist. I’ll always remember his pep talk to members of our cycling team concerning how to prevent skin cancer. Our training necessarily involved a significant amount of exposure to the sun. He suggested we use sunscreen, which was not surprising. What stuck in my memory was his reminder to cover the tips of our ears.
The CDC provides tips for sun safety including the following:
Shade: Seek out shade. Fortunately, much of the Little Miami Scenic Trail is tree covered, which not only reduces exposure to the sun, but also lowers the air temperature by about 10 degrees.
Clothing: Wear protective clothing such as a floppy hat or a lightweight, long-sleeve shirt or pants. Consider wearing SPF/UPF-rated clothing.
Sunglasses: Wear wrap-around sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays.
Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen rated SPF 15 (some sources specify 30) or higher that filters out UVA and UVB rays. Reapply sunscreen every two hours.
Timing: Plan activities for early morning or late in the afternoon or evening. Avoid time periods when the UV index is 6 (high) or higher.
When it comes to protecting your skin, the adage “better safe than sorry” applies. Every time you head out to enjoy the out of doors this summer, consider these tips, and when applying sunscreen, don’t forget to cover the tips of your ears!
August 2024
