{"id":49387,"date":"2018-07-20T09:12:42","date_gmt":"2018-07-20T13:12:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asweetlife.org\/?p=49387"},"modified":"2018-07-20T09:12:42","modified_gmt":"2018-07-20T13:12:42","slug":"things-you-need-to-know-about-diabetes-and-sunburn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asweetlife.org\/?p=49387","title":{"rendered":"Things You Need to Know About Diabetes and Sunburn"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sunburns are the worst.\u00a0That hot, prickly pain where you can\u2019t graze the burnt area without wincing and you feel like you\u2019re actually on fire?\u00a0 Not comfortable. \u00a0In New England, we have the benefits of hot summers and awesome beaches, but with that asset comes the need for constant reapplication of sunscreen to help protect our skin.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As a kid, I had a few sunburns that were uncomfortable, and I always noticed a rise in my blood sugars for a few days.\u00a0 Turns out, sunburns and high blood sugars unfortunately go hand in hand.\u00a0 Sunburns are considered an injury to your skin, and just like with any other kind of injury, your body is under stress and duress while healing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

So we want to respect our diabetes and keep our skin safe this summer, right?\u00a0 But how?\u00a0 Here are some tips on having fun in the dog days of summer while still maintaining solid diabetes management skills:<\/p>\n

Wear sunscreen!<\/strong>\u00a0The best way to deal with a sunburn is to prevent one.\u00a0 Make sure you\u2019re wearing sunscreen anytime you\u2019re outside, even in the winter, as the sun can affect your skin all year round.\u00a0 Wear sunscreen with at least a 30 SPF (sun protection factor<\/a>), and reapply if you\u2019ve been outside for a while.\u00a0 (Also be sure to apply to seemingly out-of-the-way areas like the tops of your feet or the part in your hair.)<\/p>\n

Watch for wounds.<\/strong>\u00a0 If you have a wound on your skin, don\u2019t slather it with sunscreen to protect it.\u00a0Instead, make sure that the wound is cleaned and properly bandaged to ensure that germs won\u2019t invade the affected skin, in addition to keeping the sun\u2019s rays off it.\u00a0 If the wound looks wonky, check in with your doctor before exposing it to any sun, sand, or summer chaos.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cover up.<\/strong>\u00a0 Keep yourself covered when possible, and lean on lighter colored fabrics, as dark colors attract the sun more. Hats and long sleeves provide excellent coverage, and don\u2019t forget about protecting your eyes with UVA and UVB blocking sunglasses.\u00a0(And if you\u2019re wearing your pump with your bathing suit, don\u2019t be afraid to flaunt it<\/a>!\u00a0 But also beware that your pump can become too hot in the sun<\/a>, so be mindful of how the hot, hot heat can affect your insulin.\u00a0 For tips on managing diabetes devices this summer, check out this article<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Watch your feet.<\/strong>\u00a0 People with diabetes are constantly being lectured about their feet, but there\u2019s good reason for that.\u00a0 Did you know that you can get a 2nd<\/sup>degree burn on the bottom of your feet simply from walking on hot sand in the summer?\u00a0 (I know!)\u00a0 Make the most of protective footwear and be sure to inspect your feet every night to make sure everything looks healthy.\u00a0 (And if you notice an injury, be sure to make an appointment to see your clinician.)<\/p>\n

Check your meds.<\/strong>\u00a0 In addition to making sure that your insulin doesn\u2019t cook in the summer heat, you also need to know if you\u2019re taking a medication that can make you more sensitive to the sun.\u00a0 Did you know that some blood pressure medications and sulfonylureas can make you more prone to sunburns<\/a>?\u00a0Do a little research about the meds you\u2019re taking to see if they warrant an uptick in SPF.<\/p>\n

If you do get burned<\/strong>\u2026 there\u2019s a plan.\u00a0 Apply a moisturizer<\/a> containing aloe vera or soy to the area to help soothe the skin (and avoid anything that includes petroleum products, like benzocaine or lidocaine, as they actually trap the heat in your skin).\u00a0Stay well-hydrated in order to combat the discomfort, and if the pain is tough to tolerate, consider taking ibuprofen (but check with your doctor before taking any medication).\u00a0 And keep careful tabs on your blood sugars, as the burn can cause hyperglycemia.\u00a0 Consult with your medical team if you\u2019re having trouble getting your blood sugars to come down.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you have tips and tricks for managing diabetes when the weather is hot, we\u2019d love to hear them!\u00a0Leave your thoughts in the comments, or visit our Facebook page and join the discussion<\/a>!\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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