Too much of a good thing: Excessive sun exposure can cause sunburn, heatstroke Published July 5, 2007 By Tyler Hemstreet 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Summer is a good time to enjoy the sunshine and be outside, but Air Force officials are reminding Airmen and their families that too much sun isn't healthy. Sunburns, heat exhaustion and heat stroke can turn a relaxing day outside into an unpleasant experience. After the long months of overcast weather here when the sun comes out people need to remember to take care of their skin, said Senior Airman Kourtney Tapnio, 62nd Medical Operations Squadron. "Sometimes when people finally see the sun here they get excited and forget to apply sunscreen when they go outside," Airman Tapnio said. Those people usually end up with sunburn, she said. Sunburns can not only be painful and uncomfortable, but a history of sunburns early in life is often characteristic of those who develop skin cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC recommends five options for sun protection: -- Seek shade, especially during midday hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when ultraviolet rays are strongest and do the most damage. --Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin. -- Use a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears and neck. -- Wear sunglasses that wrap around to block as close to 100 percent of both ultraviolet A and B rays as possible. -- Apply sunscreen with a sun protective factor of 15 or higher that has both UVA and UVB protection. Additionally, newborns should avoid being out in the sun as much as possible, but if they do go out in the sun they should wear a hat, Airman Tapnio said. People who spend a great amount of time in the sun should also beware of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The symptoms of heat exhaustion include dizziness, nausea, cramps and intense sweating, according to the 62nd Airlift Wing Safety Office's 101 Critical Days of Summer Web page. To treat heat exhaustion, the Web site recommends lying down in the shade, loosening clothing and drinking plenty of fluids such as water. Heat stroke is a more serious condition that requires immediate medical help, according to the Web site. Symptoms include hot, dry skin, headache, mental confusion, rapid pulse and breathing. If left untreated, victims can die, according to the Web site. Treatment for those suffering from heat stroke includes moving to a shaded area, cooling off with a hose, cool baths and plenty of water.