Sun protection for outdoor work

In Europe, the proportion of outdoor work is estimated at around five to ten percent. Affected professions include road builders, roofers, construction workers, farmers, gardeners, but also airline and ship crew. People who predominantly work outdoors are at high risk of UV-related skin diseases. Solar rays are composed of several elements: infrared radiation (IR), visible radiation (light) and ultraviolet radiation (UV). UV-A radiation causes an immediate but short-term tanning of the skin, light-related rashes or sun allergies, skin aging and wrinkle formation, and even an increased risk of skin cancer. UV-B radiation causes a slow but lasting tanning of the skin (skin pigmentation through melanin), the development of a protective layer and sunburn, but also long-term consequences such as skin cancer.

Sunlight, especially UV-A rays, can also trigger allergic reactions such as redness, itching or blistering of the skin, and some people react to sunlight with severe skin irritation. Many medications can increase sensitivity to sunlight. Therefore, when buying a sunscreen, you should pay attention to a UV-A filter with a high UV-A content. So-called Mallorca acne is less a reaction to light than to the ingredients of certain cosmetics (sunscreen). Small pimples form on the face, décolleté and shoulders, usually as a result of fats, preservatives and fragrances that irritate the skin under the influence of ultraviolet light. When buying, pay attention to products without the corresponding ingredients.

Even if your skin has acquired its natural sun protection over the summer, that’s no reason to give up sun protection cream. Although you don’t burn as easily, the UV-A rays responsible for premature skin aging are not prevented by melanin or photocallus from damaging the skin. You can only get adequate protection against these rays with the right sunscreen.

In mild sunburns, the skin becomes red and itchy and burns; in more severe sunburns, blisters may also form on the skin. It is also possible that the cell nuclei and thus also the DNA, i.e. the genetic information, are damaged by UV rays. However, the possibility of regeneration is limited and so the risk of developing skin cancer increases with each sunburn. Although it seems that the skin is recovering completely after a sunburn, the damage remains in the deeper layers of the skin.

Sunlight can also promote skin aging. The development of wrinkles, red veins and pigmentation disorders is accelerated. This process is further intensified by the formation of harmful free radicals in sunlight.

Too much sun and heat can also cause heatstroke or heatstroke, which manifests as circulatory problems and nausea. A weakened immune system can also be a result of excessive sun exposure. But sunlight can have negative effects not only on your skin but also on your eyes. UV rays can cause clouding of the lens or inflammation of the cornea or conjunctiva.