Lotions, Potions and Other Tips for Summer Travel and Safety

For many folks, summer means a trip to the ocean or beach.

For others, it might be spending hours poolside in their backyard or community pool.

Maybe you are headed out to one of our great parks for some swimming and hiking in the woods. All of those activities mean extra caution.

The Sun

Gone are the days where we slathered baby-oil all over our bodies and baked for hours in the sun.

While we all know that we should wear sunscreen everyday, let’s face it: the beach sun is different than our sun here in Western Pennsylvania. But that doesn’t mean we can be lax at home either.

According to www.dermatology.about.com, exposure to sunlight causes 90 percent of skin damage. One key to help prevent this is to properly apply the correct sunscreen.

The most harmful rays are between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., so use that as a guide. That doesn’t mean you don’t need sunscreen other times during the day; just make sure you pay extra attention during that time period.

The nurse at our dermatologist told us to purchase products with avovenzone, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Your sunscreen should have at least an SPF of 15, but most of us should use provides greater protection.  If you plan on swimming or participate in any water sports, choose a waterproof sunscreen.

She said that you really don’t need a sunscreen with an SPF greater than 35. The American Melanoma Foundation backs that advice. According to its website, “an SPF of 34 absorbs 97 percent” of ultraviolet radiation. Products with higher SPFs aren’t necessary.

Make sure you apply enough sunscreen: about 1.25 ounces per application. While that can be hard to measure while sitting on the beach, keep in mind that most people only apply 25 percent to 50 percent of how much protection needed, so slather it up.

You also can use that formula when deciding how much sunscreen to purchase prior to a trip. Sunscreen has a shelf life of about three years, so replace it if necessary. Buy it before your trip so you aren’t paying three times more at the beach, or worse, tempted to skip applying it at all.

Don’t forget those areas that you might neglect – the tops of your ears, the backs of your knees, tops of your feet, extra for the shoulders, and men, don’t forget those little bald spots that might be peaking out on top of your head. Now is not the time to pretend you have that full head of hair you had in your teens, or you could regret it later.

Apply the sunscreen prior to going out in the sun whenever possible. It takes about 20 minutes for the skin to absorb the sunscreen for full protection.

Bugs

Bugs can be a nuisance at the beach. There are some clothing companies designing travel wear for bug protection, but there also are simple steps to take to assist with keeping the number of bites down.

I swear by Avon’s Skin-so-Soft products. I have no personal stock in Avon but appreciate the protection without the harsh chemicals found in some of the other bug protection sprays.

I am not saying they don’t work; they do, but I like the fact that something as simple as this product protects me. I hate the smell of it, but it is better than some of the smells from the other sprays.

As a bonus, your skin is amazingly soft at the end of your vacation.

Simply spray or rub the product on when you will be in a high-bug zone. Keep in mind that insect repellents can reduce your sunscreen’s SPF protection by up to one-third, according to www.dermatology.about.com.  You will need to use a higher SPF, and apply your sunscreen more often when using an insect repellent.

You might also want to pick up citronella candles or mosquito coils to burn while sitting out at night to chase away unwanted bugs.

Poison Ivy

My family loves hiking, but all I have to do is look at poison ivy and I get it. During a recent hike, I saw lots and lots of poison ivy, and many of us will find it in our own backyards.

The easiest way to prevent poison ivy is to avoid it. Be familiar with what the plant looks like, then stay away. There is a saying, “If leaves I have three, then let me be,” which is good advice, but poison ivy can have more than three leaves.

If you come in contact with poison ivy, wash the area as soon as possible with Dawn dish detergent (what I use and yes, it works) or a product such as MyCleanse.

After you break out in a rash, do not scratch it. Treat it with IvyDry or another product that your physician recommends. If you have a severe rash, consult your physician immediately.

A few simple steps can help save your summer vacation and fun from the results of a bad sunburn, lots of bites, or worse, a trip to the .