SPF, IT’S NOT JUST A SUMMER THING
By
L.A. Van Veghel

Although not occurring as often in winter, sunburn is possible. Sunny, windless days tend to make ice anglers shed some of their layered clothes. A better sense of feel is had when mittens are removed during the warmer, sunny days. Keeping the line in the crease if the index finger when panfishing is more sensitive than are any bobbers, slip bobbers or noodle rods. A direct connection to the hook is made. Watch your line for any straightening or slight movements to the side. Set the hook immediately.

The warmer days of ice fishing are arriving. Capless and gloveless fishing is on the way, and so is increased exposure to ultraviolet, UV, rays.

The Encarta Dictionary defines the noun SPF as “the degree to which a sun cream, lotion, screen, or block provides protection for the skin against the sun.” SPF stands for “sun protection factor”). The created and maintained by committee “free encyclopedia” called “Wikipedia” says SPF “…is a measure of the effectiveness of sunscreen – the higher the SPF, the more protection a sunscreen offers UV-B (The ultraviolet for suntan lotion that intensifies sun exposure...)."  UV-B is the sun burning ultraviolet ray.  50 offers longer protection than will 15 and many people call this "stronger."

Certain medications can cause sunburn in short periods of time. The author of this article experienced this a couple of weeks ago.

Sunscreen, aka sunblock or sunscreen, in its various formats is still advised in wintertime. Lower number strengths can be used, as the higher the number, the longer the sunscreen lasts.

Less time is spent by anglers during wintertime, since daylight hours are shorter, and it’s often too cold to stay out for long periods.

To help prevent tanning, per Wikipedia, “sunscreen products have (a) skin whitening ingredient…” Other things of note are that some sunscreens do not block UVA rays. These are not tanning rays; they are the rays that cause melanoma skin cancer. Yet, the American Cancer Society recommends their use, since they block squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma skin cancers. Other sunblocks block Vitamin D, and this vitamin motivates the other vitamins. As with all medications, read the labels.

The Winter 2009-10 issue of Great Lakes VA HEALTHVIEWS states that “Many people forget that snow can reflect the sun’s rays. Wearing sunscreen and a wide brim hat can protect your skin no matter what time of the year.”

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NOTES:

Wikepedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunscreen

WCSFO has a new mailing address:
http://wcsfo.blogspot.com/
WCSFO
PO Box 93
Cecil, WI 54111-0093