sunburn

[sudu]

does repeated sunburn as a child affect your health later on in life? i'm 16 and i've been sunburnt mildly quite a few times and severely probably about twice (im not really sure how to classify it, the severe burns im talking about were blistering and swelling and a bit of sunstroke). does this incraese the risk of skin cancer or other problems?

[Clanad]

You might like to read this;

http://www.mpip.org/prevention/06_06_00birth.html

[veritymoon]

yeah im afraid it can increase your chances.

[jno]

it can increase the risk. That's not to say you'll develop melanomas (a lot depends on skin type, severity of burning etc); but it can be a factor. But a friend of mine had to have melanomas removed and she'd never been sunburnt in her life. So really, just do your best to avoid burning in the future (some would say never go out in the sun at all, but I think that's overreacting); there's nothing you can do about the past.

[Celtigra3]

I lived in Africa until I was 15 and got sunburnt lots of times - not much was known about cancer in those days - I am now 55 and still here! I think if you are genetically disposed, you could be more prone. As with any illness, you need to be constantly vigil. But I worry about my daughter who uses sunbeds all the time.

[campbellking]

Celtigra, get your daughter off the sunbeds! Maybe just point out to her that it'll age her skin prematurely (never mind the increased risk of cancer) and fake tan is available!