Information on Health Matters

Health Matters

Sun Safety

In The Sun.....

Research has shown that there is a link between exposure to the sun and skin cancer.

There are three types of skin cancer, and if it's detected early there is a 90% cure rate.

sun awareness

Prevention is better than cure though! So it's recommended that you:

  • Avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm when it's at its strongest.
  • Use a sun screen with at least SPF15 (sun protection factor 15).
  • Beware - creams with a SPF30 don't give you much more protection, only 3% extra, so don't be lulled into a false sense of security!
  • Don't forget your lips, keep them protected as they are vulnerable to sunburn, and it's sore to pucker up if they get cracked!
  • Keep covered up, wear clothes and a hat made from tightly woven materials.
  • Take extra care with babies and children. babies under six months should be kept out of dirct sun as much as possible.
  • Avoid using sun beds - they carry all the risks of natural sunlight!

If you are hooked on the tanned look, why not think about a fake tan. Safer and definitley quicker!

Check out the local weather reports and for the UV index go to www.jerseymet.gov.je for the reprot and more information.

Toxic Shock Syndrome - TSS

This is a rare illness caused by toxins produced by a certain bacteria. If it is not detected and treated early it can be very serious and in extreme cases fatal.

TSS can affect anyone and can happen following insect bites, burns or after surgery.

However, about half of all cases are associated to women using tampons.

The strongest links to risk are with women using the higher absorbency tampons, therefore to prevent TSS women are advised to use the lowest absorbency to suit her particular period flow at the time.

Tampons should be changed regularly every 4 - 8 hours.

The symptoms of TSS:

  • sudden very high temperatures 102oF/39oC or higher
  • vomiting
  • diarrhoea
  • a sunburn type rash
  • muscle aches
  • dizziness and fainting or feeling faint when standing up

If you have some of these symptoms and are wearing a tampon and suspect TSS, you should remove the tampon and contact your doctor or the hospital immediately. Try not to worry too much or feel alarmed. The important thing is to try and rule out the possibilty of TSS quickly.

Novelty Contact Lenses

Novelty contact lenses are also known as theatrical or cosmetic contact lenses. They are used to change how the eys look e.g. to make your eyes glow in the dark.

Sounds like a good idea? The problem with novelty contact lenses is that they are non prescription and can cause health problems.

The dangers!

These lenses aren't bought through a prescription and so are not made to fit each person's eyes.

Poorly fitted contact lenses can mean the cornea of the eye doesn't get enough oxygen and this can cause problems for abrasions, to conjunctivitis, partial blindness, full blindness or even having to have the eye removed.

It's important to remember that novelty contact lenses are not a fashion accessory but a medical device and to be careful about treating them in the same way you would any other contact lens.

Clean them in proper contact lens solution, make sure your hands are clean when you're putting them in or taking them out, not sharing with other people and having them properly fitted by an optometrist.