Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The incidence of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin is also greatly in-
creased by sun exposure. Although these tumors, or the surgery or radiation required to
remove them, are occasionally disfiguring, they rarely cause fatalities, unlike melanomas.
Individuals who spend much of their time in sunlight must reduce the severity of such
changes by conscientiously applying sunscreens whenever they are exposed, regardless
of the risk of sunburn. However, the best protection is clothing, particularly long-sleeved
shirts and wide-brimmed hats that shade the face.
Snow Blindness
The surface of the eye (cornea and conjunctiva) absorbs ultraviolet radiation just like
the skin does. Excessive exposure can result in sunburn of these tissues, producing snow
blindness (photophthalmia). This condition is discussed in
Chapter 15: Eye Disorders
.
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