Sun Protection: How UV Exposure Affects Your Health and Medications

When you think of sun protection, measures taken to shield the body from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Also known as UV protection, it's not just about avoiding sunburn—it's about stopping long-term damage that can lead to serious health issues. Too much sun doesn’t just wrinkle your skin. It can grow abnormal tissue on your eyes, weaken your immune response, and even interfere with how your medications work.

Take pterygium, a noncancerous growth on the eye’s surface caused by long-term UV exposure. Also known as surfer's eye, it’s not rare—especially in people who spend hours outdoors without sunglasses. Left unchecked, it can spread over the cornea and blur vision. Surgery helps, but prevention is simpler: wear UV-blocking sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat every day, even when it’s cloudy. And it’s not just your eyes. The same UV rays that damage your skin also raise your risk for skin cancer, a group of cancers caused by DNA damage from ultraviolet radiation. Also known as melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, they’re among the most preventable types of cancer—if you protect yourself consistently. Most people know to use sunscreen, but few realize that some medications make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Antibiotics, diuretics, even some acne treatments can turn a short walk into a bad burn. Always check your pill bottle or ask your pharmacist if your meds increase sun sensitivity.

And here’s something most don’t connect: sun exposure affects how your body handles drugs. Chronic UV exposure can weaken your immune system over time, which matters if you’re on immunosuppressants after a transplant or managing an autoimmune disease. It’s not just about sunscreen—it’s about understanding how your environment interacts with your treatment plan. That’s why the posts below cover real cases: how UV-triggered eye growths need surgery, why some meds make you burn easier, and how to protect yourself without overcomplicating things.

You won’t find fluff here. Just straight talk on what works, what doesn’t, and what you need to know to keep your skin, eyes, and meds safe under the sun. Whether you’re managing a chronic condition, taking daily pills, or just trying to avoid another painful burn—this collection gives you the facts you need to act.