With temperatures staying around 90 degrees this week, public health officials are stressing the need to wear sunblock.

Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf recommends sunblock that protects against Ultraviolet A and Ultraviolet B spectrums. She says UVA can cause premature aging and wrinkles in your skin, while UVB can cause sunburns and skin cancer. Wolf advises wearing sunblock with at least 30 sun protection factor (SPF).

“You don’t necessarily have to go out and buy a sunscreen that is 50, 60, 70, 100 (SPF). Your sunscreen with at least 30 (SPF) blocks 97-percent of the sun’s rays.”  

Wolf points out sunblock needs to be reapplied every so often when you are outdoors.

“So you want to make sure that you are reapplying sunscreen before you go in water because that reflects the rays (from the sun) and causes sunburn more. But then when you come out of the water reapply your sunscreen. The same goes, if you’re outside sweating, make sure that you’re wearing sunscreen (and) reapplying it. They really do recommend reapplying sunscreen every two hours.”

Wolf adds infants under six months of age shouldn’t wear sunblock because their skin is more sensitive and absorbent. She suggests making sure babies are in shade as much as possible, wear protective clothing such as long sleeved shirts and pants, and make sure they drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.