The Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public to be vigilant when it comes to skin damage caused by constant sun exposure. The public should always take precautions to avoid a sunburn, said DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire on Tuesday, April 4. “Yung sunburn, ito po ay form ng [skin] burn (Sunburn is a form of [skin] burn)… We consider it  already as part ng dimension ng pagkakasunog ng balat (of the dimension of skin burn),” said Vergeire in a media forum. Vergeire advised the public to immediately seek medical attention if they experience severe sunburn. “Yung nag-stay kayo the whole day under the sun tapos nakita nyo yung balat nyo ay hindi na lang po namumula kundi parang pumuputok-putok na at katulad ng nga ng sabi ko nagtutubig, kailangan na po kayong magpatingin sa doktor para mabigyan po kayo ng necessary medication o kaya treatment (When you stayed the whole day under the sun and then you saw that your skin is already red, has blisters or fluid-filled bumps, you need to see a doctor so that you can be given the necessary medication or treatment),” she said. The Health official also warned the public against prolonged sun exposure as this can  raise the risk of skin cancer. “Constant exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer, so that is a known fact,” said Vergeire. Citing data from the Philippine Dermatological Society, Vergeire noted that around 2,700 Filipinos were diagnosed with skin cancer from 2011 to 2021. Vergeire said that skin damage can be prevented. “Ang paglabas po sa araw iwasan po natin lalong-lalo na po kung matindi ang sikat ng araw (Avoid being outdoors when the sun is at its strongest),” she said. “Always wear sun protection, yung atin pong mga nilalagay na sunscreens para po napo-protektahan tayo (such as applying sunscreen in order for us to be protected) from the direct effect of the sun to our skin,” she added.
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Heat exhaustion

In a related development, the DOH also received reports that over 100 individuals suffered from heat exhaustion last month. A total of 33 people from four high schools in Valenzuela City experienced heat exhaustion last March 9, said Vergeire. On the other hand,  there were “85 students from the national high school in Cabuyao, Laguna” who suffered the same last March 23, said Vergeire. “Wala pa po tayong nareport na severe o kaya naging kritikal dahil dito (We have not yet reported any serious or critical cases because of this),” said Vergeire. “Sila naman po ay binigyan lang first aid o karampatang lunas at pinauwi na rin pagkatapos (They were only given first aid or appropriate treatment and they were sent home afterwards),” she added. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defined heat exhaustion as the “body's response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating.” Some of its symptoms include headache, nausea, and dizziness.