We all know that UV rays can be dangerous to our health. The most commonly known negative effects are related to the skin, which is why a lot of people use sunscreens with UV protection components on a daily basis. But did you know that the harmful effects of UV rays are more than just skin deep?

The high-energy UV radiation emitted by the sun has been linked to a lot of health problems. Among these are cancer, optic issues, and serious skin conditions. Many studies have found that those people who spend a lot of time under the sun have reported health concerns related to UV rays.

Even if you don’t go out often or the beach is not really your favourite place to go, UV rays can still harm you in your homes. Areas that have a lot of sun exposure are also prone to the negative effects of UV rays. Here are some harmful health concerns associated with UV radiation.

Skin conditions

Commonly, people are aware that frequent exposure to the sun can cause damage to the skin. And those who want to keep their skin looking good would resort to the use of sunscreen. But more than appearance-related damages, UV rays can cause bigger skin conditions like sunburn and premature ageing.

When our skin is exposed to the sun for excessive amounts of time, UV rays cause a huge change in the cells, tissue, and blood vessels on the skin. Long-term effects of this can include skin pigmentation and signs of ageing due to the gradual loss of the skin’s elasticity.

Cancer

The skin is the first line of defence against harmful UV rays. But frequent exposure to high-energy UV radiation can ultimately lead to cancer. Skin cancer is a common sickness experienced by people who get excessive sun exposure. It normally happens to uncovered areas of the body like the ears, face, neck, and forearms. The number of people developing it increases over the years as the sun’s UV rays get stronger and more harmful.

Eye problems

When the eyes are exposed to bright light, they naturally squint to minimize the sun’s exposure to UV rays. But this natural protection is not enough to counter high-energy UV radiation, which can still penetrate the eyes and cause serious conditions.

Common eye problems associated with UV rays arephotokeratitis and photoconjunctivitis. These are inflammatory conditions in the eyes, quite similar to the sunburn we get on our skin. They usually occur after excessive sun exposure and can cause extreme discomfort and pain. Although they don’t cause any long term effects on vision, it’s still ideal for protecting your eyes using UV protective shades.

Cataract development is another eye condition that can be associated with UV rays. This is when proteins in the eye entangle and accumulate pigments that can eventually lead to blindness. There are many causes of cataracts, but exposure to UV radiation poses a major risk for cataract development.

Weaker immune system

The immune system fights off sicknesses from entering our bodies. However, studies have found that excessive exposure to UV rays affects the response of the immune system, hence increasing the risk of infection and diseases. It has also been found that UV rays reduce the effectivity of vaccines in the body.

Even in the comfort of your homes, it’s important to take preventive measures to keep yourself safe from UV radiation. Put on sunscreen with UV protection components or install UV protection window films to ensure adequate safety.

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