Pharmacists Urge Consumers To Seek Advice About Sunburn Safety

Main Category: Dermatology
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 02 Jul 2008 - 8:00 PDT

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With the incidence of skin cancer annually on the rise, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) encourages consumers to talk to their pharmacist about sunburn prevention, sunburn treatment and medications that increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun. Besides being medication experts, pharmacists are also knowledgeable about how to prevent and treat common summertime ailments, such as sunburns.

"Patients often have difficulty navigating the sun care and summertime products aisle because there are so many different types from which to choose," said APhA President Tim Tucker, PharmD. "Because pharmacists are healthcare professionals accessible to the public, they are a great resource to people concerned about or suffering from sunburns or summertime ailments."

Pharmacists can also assist patients by reviewing medication profiles and alerting patients to drugs that may make the skin more vulnerable to sunburn such as diuretics, oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents. Additionally, pharmacists can counsel patients on the adverse effects of repeated overexposure. The National Caner Institute estimates that more than 1 million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in 2008 resulting in close to 1,000 deaths.

Repeated overexposure to the sun can dramatically increase a person's risk of developing skin cancer, particularly if there is a family history of the disease. If suffering a sunburn, a pharmacist can assess the severity of the burn to determine if it can be self-treated or requires medical attention. They can also assist with choosing the best products to provide relief. The APhA suggests the following tips for sunburn relief:

- Get out of the sun and avoid further exposure.

- Apply cool tap water to the affected site for 10 to 30 minutes to help reduce or prevent blistering and help with pain.

- Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, if appropriate for the patient, may also help to ease the pain and swelling associated with sunburn.

- Other products typically used to help with sunburns, include aloe vera and topical anesthetics. These products help moisturize dry, burned skin, and provide more elasticity to the skin.

About the American Pharmacists Association (APhA)

The American Pharmacists Association, founded in 1852 as the American Pharmaceutical Association, represents more than 63,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and others interested in advancing the profession. APhA, dedicated to helping all pharmacists improve medication use and advance patient care, is the first-established and largest association of pharmacists in the United States. APhA members provide care in all practice settings, including community pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, managed care organizations, hospice settings, and the military.

American Pharmacists Association