Who is most at risk of skin damage from the sun?

Take extra care to protect babies and children from the sun. Studies show that one or more severe, blistering sunburns as a child or teenager could increase the risk for melanoma, an often fatal form of skin cancer.

You need to be especially careful to play it safe in the sun if you:

• have fair skin; blond, red, or light brown hair; and blue green, or gray eyes
• have freckles and burn before tanning
• spend a lot of time outdoors
• were previously treated for skin cancer
• have a family history of skin cancer, especially melanoma
• work indoors all week and then try to catch up on your tan on weekends
• live or vacation at high altitudes (ultraviolet radiation from the sun increases 4 to 5 percent for every 1,000 feet above sea level)
• live or vacation close to the equator
• have certain diseases, such as lupus erythematosus
• take certain medicines, including:
  • acne medicines
  • antibiotics, such as tetracyclines
  • antihistamines
  • oral contraceptives containing estrogen
  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as naproxen sodium
  • phenothiazines (major tranquilizers and anti-nausea drugs)
  • sulfa drugs
  • tricyclic antidepressants
  • thiazide diuretics
  • sulfonylureas, such as oral anti-diabetics.

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