Cold sores and the sun: how it hurts

From late spring to autumn, the sun can become an enemy to our health, causing damage to our skin in particular. UV rays (especially UVA and UVB) have a carcinogenic action on our skin. Most of the UV rays that reach the earth's surface are UVA and, to a small extent, UVB, while UVC, the most harmful, are totally shielded by the ozone present in the atmosphere.

The most dangerous rays are UVB because they have a greater penetration capacity, having a shorter wavelength of the magnetic spectrum (280-315 nm compared to 315-400 nm of UVA).

Additionally, UV levels are higher in the mountains and when the sun is higher in the sky; also depending on latitude and cloud cover.

Unfortunately, the absorbing capacity of the ozone layer is decreasing more and more and the risks for humans are increasing. Just think of the increase in cases of skin cancer.

There are people who, under the heat, cannot even simply walk around the city, perhaps to go to work, without risking more or less annoying pathologies. And they must resort to high protection sunscreens for the entire hot season. Whether they are on vacation or not.

Sun intolerance is more likely to occur if you are exposed to the sun while taking photosensitizing medications, such as cyclosporine, antifungals, birth control pills, and acne medications.

Why does a dull ache appear on the lip?

The most common disorder is 'deaf fever'. The herpes simplex virus 1 , which affects the lips (that's why it's called labial): as a peaceful roommate, settled in the nerve fibers of our skin, like thousands of other viruses with which we live as good guests, it goes on the attack and finding the immune system weakened by the sun , wins the battle causing those painful clusters of blisters to appear on our lips that then prevent us from speaking, eating and laughing, under penalty of very strong burning.

In fact, the sun is no less dangerous under an umbrella, not to mention that sand and water have a certain reflective power (35 and 15 percent respectively). Be careful because certain skin disorders caused by the sun on rare occasions can even generate pre-tumor lesions. Even the eyes do not like the sun too much: we are talking about unwanted effects such as cortical cataracts, degeneration of the crystalline lens, to the point of compromising vision; pterygium, thickening of the conjunctiva that leads to opacification of the cornea or a limitation of eye movements.

Dull Fever: A Natural Remedy

Fortunately, at least for herpes simplex today there is a stick based on copper gluconate, SPF 15, jojoba, tea tree, olive and sweet almond oils, lavender essential oil, calendula extract and shea butter that prevents the pathology, if applied every day, and in case of full-blown dull fever, it takes away the pain. In particular, copper gluconate prevents the virus from replicating.

Immune defenses

You should know that when we talk about immune defenses, we are actually referring to two types of 'defenses': in fact, a distinction is made between innate ones and so-called adaptive ones, which are formed during life thanks to the daily challenges that our body faces to stay healthy. For this reason, once upon a time, mothers tried to make their children contract classic childhood diseases, such as measles, mumps and rubella, while they were still very young. Typically, if a classmate or a friend or a brother or sister got sick, they would gather around them little friends and siblings in the hope that the virus would infect them, small tests that would make those young growing bodies stronger. And for the same reason, children were not washed continuously and were left in contact with dirt and dust. Training makes you strong! This applies to muscles as well as to the immune system.

Is the sun really an enemy?

The nature and structure of the external 'enemy' agent selects the type of immune response that is activated: the sun has effects on adaptive defenses.

Up to a certain point, radiation is beneficial, because it stimulates the production of vitamin D , which is necessary for skeletal development and to avoid diseases such as osteoporosis. Beyond that, the risks begin. It is important to take into account the characteristics of one's skin, if it is too light, one's propensity for exposure (one can be born hypersensitive or even allergic) and also the atmospheric conditions.

Helping yourself 'from within'

Since the first medicine is nutrition, we can manage any problems arising from the passion for tanning also with the right choices at the table and on the plate.

Health and disease are complex concepts because they refer to the state of a system made up of the material body, psyche, soul, mind, which together influence the nervous, endocrine and immune systems. When imbalances are created we speak of disease. Some substances called adaptogens are metabolic regulators and perform immunostimulation to help the body regain its lost balance. They are also called “lifestyle drugs”.

The term adaptogen was coined in 1947 by pharmacologist NM Lazarev and indicates a substance that satisfies these rules:

• must increase the organism's resistance regardless of the nature of the harmful stimulus (non-specific effect);
• must prevent or antagonize disorders caused by stress-provoking agents, even if these go in the opposite direction within the same pathological condition (normalizing effect);
• must be safe (minimal toxicity).

Plants that stimulate the immune system are 90% higher plants and 10% mushrooms, algae or lichens. For example, the adaptogenic effect of the extract from the root of Ginseng is known against fatigue.

Among the real foods, those rich in antioxidants are recommended, such as oranges and carrots; grapes and tomatoes. As a drink, green tea is effective, rich in polyphenols. The important thing is to start two months before sun exposure.

Since it is difficult to take the right amount of food simply by eating and drinking, at the table or during the day, it is also good to resort to antioxidant-based food supplements.

And what about sunscreens?

The last aid is constituted by sunscreens. The choice on the shelves of pharmacies and supermarkets is wide. However, not everyone knows that sunscreens can be carcinogenic (and/or anti-ecological to the point of damaging the coral reef), so it is important to know how to choose the healthiest product. You must read the labels carefully. The packaging should say Without endocrine disruptors . This warning means that the compound does not contain carcinogenic substances.

It is then necessary to be careful to spread the product a few hours before exposing yourself to the sun's rays and to repeat the operation during the day.

To protect the skin naturally, the best is zinc oxide , which however does not promote tanning and creates a white patina on the body. This filter is active immediately (it does not need to be applied beforehand) but it is pasty.

However, there are now also advanced sunscreens on the market , even those aimed at different skin disorders such as acne, rosacea, atopic skin. And even among cosmetics, there are colored creams or mineral powders to be used as foundation or blush that correct imperfections and at the same time protect from UVA and UVB rays.