Lanzarote and La Graciosa, as well as the rest of the archipelago, are in "extreme risk" due to ultraviolet radiation. This is reflected in the prediction of the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) for this weekend.
Aemet predicts that this Friday, Saturday and Sunday all the islands will be at an Ultraviolet Radiation Index of eleven, the maximum level, in a context where the sky is clear.
The Plan of Preventive Actions for the Effects of Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation on Health establishes a series of recommendations to reduce its effects on people's health.
It should be remembered that the acute effects of radiation can cause DNA damage, sunburn, phototoxic and photoallergic reactions, as well as immunosuppression. Therefore, it can be considered a risk factor for cancer and lead to the reactivation of viruses, such as herpes labialis.
Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause serious health problems. These include melanoma, known as skin cancer. In addition, it increases the risk of eye diseases if adequate protection is not used.
This radiation affects more people who are exposed to the sun for more hours or who have suffered several episodes of sunburn throughout their lives. In addition, it has a greater impact on people over fifty years of age, and those with fair skin, hair and eyes. It is also more harmful to people who have relatives with skin cancer.
It is more harmful for those who take certain oral and topical medications, such as antibiotics, birth control pills and products containing benzoyl peroxide, in the same way, some cosmetics could increase the sensitivity of the skin and eyes to UV radiation in all skin types.
How to protect yourself
To protect yourself, it is best to stay in the shade, especially during the main hours of the day (between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.). In addition, it is recommended to wear clothing that covers the arms and legs; do not expose babies to direct sunlight; wear wide-brimmed hats or caps that cover the face, head, ears and neck, as well as approved glasses to block UVA and UVB rays.
Finally, it is recommended to use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.