Protecting skin and eyes helps to ensure that winter sports activities
are healthy for spirit and body
Pack the sunscreen for
a day in the snow
W
ho can resist playing in the
snow on a beautiful winter
day? Living in coastal British Columbia, my family
likes to escape the rainy weather by taking
weekend trips to mountains for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. To help ensure
these outings are healthy for our spirits and
our bodies, including our skin, we never
leave home without sunscreen. This includes stocking our pockets before heading
out into the snow to protect ourselves from
the damaging effects of ultraviolet light.
The most important rays to be aware
of are ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B
(UVB). Both are known carcinogens that
contribute to different cellular changes,
predisposing us to skin cancer.
UVB is weaker in the winter with the tilt
of the earth away from the sun. That’s why
we are less prone to getting sunburned
during that season. But UVA is different – it’s
more of a “silent” form of ultraviolet radiation that causes minimal redness or sunburn. It has a deeper penetration, reaching
the important collagen and elastin fibres.
Once these fibres are degraded, wrinkles
and slack skin appear. And UVA is not significantly diminished in winter – hence the
need for protection.
Winter sports enthusiasts should also
know that snow and ice are excellent reflectors of light. Almost 100 per cent of the rays
can bounce back, potentially doubling the
Protect yourself against snow blindness
By Dr. Paul Rafuse
When severe sunburn affects one of the most densely innervated tissues of the body, the pain is intense. This is snow blindness, medically referred to as photokeratitis, and it occurs when the outermost layer of the
cornea on the surface of the eye is burned by ultraviolet (UV) exposure.
Often triggered by sunlight reflected off snow, the “blindness” comes from a pain that
is so intense that the eyes cannot be kept open.
Luckily, snow blindness is temporary. As a medical student, I once forgot my sunglasses in my haste to go skiing. After a great time on the slopes, I had tears streaming
down my cheeks on the way home. The only relief came from keeping my eyes closed.
Thankfully, everything was back to normal by morning.
In more severe cases, pressure patches are applied until the affected area of the cornea regenerates. Complete healing can take a few days and there are usually no lasting
effects.
Dark, wraparound sunglasses that block 99 per cent of UV rays offer the best protection against snow blindness. n
Dr. Paul Rafuse is the president of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society and an Associate
Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Dalhousie University,
Halifax in Nova Scotia.
18
WINTER 2014
my skin
exposure. Ultraviolet rays are often reflected
at unexpected angles, calling for the protection of lips, nose and eyes. An example that
has been well documented in the north
and in high altitude skiers is snow blindness, an inflammation of the outer layers of
the eye from intense sun on snow and ice.
Higher altitude generally means more ultraviolet exposure. For every 1,000 metres in
elevation, the thinner air filters less and increases exposure by 10 per cent. All factors
considered, at the top of Whistler Mountain
the rays can be 120 per cent stronger than
in Vancouver. And haze and clouds may not
offer any protection as ultraviolet light can
easily penetrate thin cloud cover.
No matter the season, using minimum
SPF 30 broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) sunscreen makes sense for all Canadians who
enjoy the outdoors. It’s advisable to be generous – most people underapply sunscreen
and don’t achieve the protection they aim
for. Sweating, snow and precipitation will
make repeat applications necessary. Heavier
or moisturizing sunscreen preparations may
offer added protection from the dry cold air.
Many stick-applicator sunscreens are popular in winter and are often small enough to
fit in a coat pocket. Sun protection for the
eyes is important as well.
Protecting the skin from ultraviolet rays
in winter will reduce the risks of skin cancer
and photo-aging. It will also ward off the
embarrassment of showing up at work with
a goggle-tan (or burn). n
Dr. Gabriele Weichert (MD, PhD) is a community dermatologist practicing in Nanaimo, B.C.
(www.skincarewest.com). In addition to clinical
work and cross-country skiing, she is on a quest
to encourage Vancouver Island residents to
lead active, healthy and sun-safe lives.
Photos: top, istockphoto.com; all others supplied
By Dr. Gabriele Weichert