5 dangers of sunlight for the body (not just sunburn, you know!)
Behind the myriad of benefits of sunlight for health, it turns out that the dazzling light emitted can also have a bad effect on your body. Eitss, but doesn’t just cause sunburn (sunburn) just, you know! There are still various other dangers of sunlight that you should be aware of. Anything, huh?
Various dangers of sunlight for health
Who doesn’t like to travel or take vacations when the sun is bright? However, you should still limit excessive sun exposure, especially if it is not accompanied by protection, which can stalk your health.
1. Reddened skin
Jason Reichenberg, MD, as a lecturer at the University of Texas-Austin’s Dell Medical School, explains that spending too long in the sun without protective clothing or sunscreen can cause redness in some areas of the skin, maybe even permanent or difficult to heal.
The reason is, when you get older, the sun’s rays can thin the skin and relax the skin structure around your blood vessels. Gradually, the blood vessels will widen further, causing reddish-brown areas in several parts of the body.
This process can also cause collagen in the skin to be scattered, which makes blood vessels visible on the surface of the skin.
2. Vision worsens
Vision problems have become a consequence that must be faced by everyone as they get older. But apart from the age factor, a study found that prolonged exposure to the sun can actually exacerbate this condition – especially for men and women over the age of 40.
According to a study from Fordham University in 2011, ultraviolet (UV) rays are bad for the eyes because they increase the chance of developing cataracts which can lead to blindness.
Not only that, the dangers of direct sunlight can also interfere with the function of the retina which over time will reduce vision function. This retinal dysfunction is triggered by glaucoma and macular degeneration, reported by Health.
3. Aging skin
It is undeniable, UV rays can cause skin to age faster. This is because sunlight can penetrate directly into the middle layer of the skin (dermis) which causes the elastin cells in the skin to accumulate abnormally.
When the number of elastin cells is sufficient, a type of enzyme will break down skin collagen and elastin, which then results in changes to the skin structure. Exposure to sunlight will further accelerate the aging process which leads to wrinkles, spots, and other skin damage.
4. A severe rash develops
There are several medical conditions that can easily cause a rash on the skin. For example, for people who have an allergy to sunlight, it is very easy for them to experience reddish skin even though they have only been in the sun for a few minutes.
A more severe allergic reaction can even lead to porphyria, a condition that makes a person overly afraid of the sun. The danger of sunlight that is caused will make the skin immediately reddened to blisters when exposed to sunlight.
5. Lowering the immune system
The body is equipped with an immune system that is tasked with fighting the arrival of various infections and abnormal cell growth. This immune system defense involves the work of white blood cells or lymphocytes (T cells) and Langerhans cells.
Well, skin that is exposed to sunlight too often will trigger the release of active chemicals that will interfere with the work of the body’s immune system. As a result, the immune ability to block the entry of infection is weakened.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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