How do harmful levels of ultraviolet rays affect health?

The UV index is at very harmful levels.

On May 17, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting warned of the maximum ultraviolet (UV) index. Accordingly, in many areas across the country, the UV index is above the harmful risk level (9-10). The UV index in Ho Chi Minh City is forecast to be at 9 for 3 days from May 17-20. This is the threshold that requires limiting outdoor activities.

In addition, the forecast of the maximum potential heat index in Ho Chi Minh City is also at a very dangerous level (41-54). This level is very likely to cause heatstroke, exhaustion, heat shock if exposed or engaged in prolonged physical activity in hot weather.

The UV index is at a very high level according to Weatheronline forecast.

According to the weather forecast site Accuweather, in the next 4 days, the temperature in Ho Chi Minh City will be from 33 - 36 degrees Celsius. The UV index ranges from 7-11, of which on May 18, the index was 11. This is an extremely high level on the UV index scale, with an extremely high risk of harm, very dangerous, can cause eye damage, skin burns, immunosuppression or even skin cancer if exposed directly to sunlight for a long time without careful protection and shielding.

According to the weather forecast site Weatheronline, the average temperature in Ho Chi Minh City in the coming days will be 35-36 degrees Celsius, with UV rays at a very high level of 9-10.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a UV index below 2 is safe, 3-5 is moderate, 6-7 is high, 8-10 is very high and 11 or higher is extremely high and dangerous. WHO recommends that with a UV index of 8 or higher, people should avoid going out at noon, if outside, they should seek shade, wear long-sleeved shirts, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat.

Increased skin diseases due to heat

Doctor CK2 Nguyen Manh Ha, Ho Chi Minh City Dermatology Hospital, said that in hot weather, the number of patients coming for examination increases, on average each day the hospital receives 2,000 - 2,500 visits for skin examination.

"Hot sun, high intensity UV rays directly affect the skin such as photodermatitis, sunburn, for patients sensitive to light will increase the risk of allergies, sunburn, sunburn. In the long term, damage to epidermal cells, accumulation causes skin cancer, some skin diseases. In addition, patients with some underlying diseases use some oral medications with ingredients that can increase sensitivity to light causing skin darkening and sunburn", Dr. Ha shared.

When going out in hot weather, you need to wear sleeveless shirts and cover up well.

Dr. Tran Huyen Tram, Internal Medicine - Dermatology specialist, Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital, said that recently the number of patients at the hospital's Dermatology clinic has increased, mainly in the group of workers who work outdoors and are often exposed to sunlight. Most of the cases are due to sunburn and skin pigmentation.

There was a patient who came to the clinic with peeling facial skin due to sunburn due to the nature of his job, which often exposed him to sunlight, and red, scaly patches on his back due to prolonged hot weather.

According to Dr. Tram, UV rays are divided into 3 types: UVA, UVB and UVC, ranked in order of increasing danger from UVA, to UVB and the most dangerous is UVC. Fortunately, the ozone layer has completely absorbed UVC - the most dangerous type of UV and absorbed 95% of UVB, 5% of UVA.

The UVA and UVB rays that are not absorbed by the ozone layer are responsible for skin damage such as skin aging, skin burns, skin pigmentation, and even skin cancer. Skin damage caused by UV rays is cumulative, so the longer the exposure and the higher the intensity of UV rays, the more damage will be done to the skin.

Therefore, we need to protect our skin when exposed to sunlight. Especially for workers who have to work outdoors, adequate skin protection measures are needed. We should limit exposure to direct sunlight between 10am and 4pm, this is the time when the concentration of UV rays in sunlight is high. Try to find shady places to avoid the sun.

Additional sun protection measures are needed, such as using sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, choosing a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, and is water-resistant if you sweat a lot. Sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours when working continuously in the sun.

"Use additional support measures such as wearing masks, sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts... when going out. You can choose these items made from sunscreen fabrics to increase the ability to protect your skin from UV rays. Besides, you need to drink enough water, increase the amount of green vegetables in your diet and can take additional sunscreen pills to increase the ability to protect your skin from the inside," Dr. Tram recommends.

Quick view 8pm: Panoramic news on May 17

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