Becoming a Beach Bum

For years I've been searching for the perfect excuse to quit my job and hit the beach full-time. I still haven't found it. Besides, I need money to support my techno-toy habit.

I have found a few reasons to spend more time in the sun, though, and some of them are even health related.

If you or anyone you know has had psoriasis for a while, you have probably heard that exposure to ultraviolet light can dramatically change the appearance of psoriatic lesions.

For a few, UV exposure makes psoriasis worse. I'm not one of them. Of all the things I've ever tried for psoriasis, UV exposure is the only thing that has worked consistently for me. It works so well that I recently splurged on a tan-through swimsuit so even the spots that have to be covered will get some sun.

Using UV therapy to help heal psoriasis is not as easy as I'm making it sound. Overexposure can have dangerous side effects, including cancer, and should be medically supervised whether it is done at a doctor's office or on your own.

For all the inherent dangers, UV exposure has some great benefits. It has been proven to help lift seasonal depression by increasing melatonin production in the brain. According to information at www.martinsburg.com it can inhibit the progression of certain cancers and lower overall cancer rates. An article at www.thebeachtanning.com even claims that UV exposure can reduce the frequency of the common cold by 40.3 percent and increase male sex hormone production by up to 120 percent.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends consumption of 400 international units of vitamin D daily, says an article by Allison Fabian. Sunlight helps the body to synthesize vitamin D, and sun exposure can fulfill at least 80 percent of the body's requirements for vitamin D, Ms. Fabian writes.

Vitamins A and D are well-known in nutritional circles for helping maintain healthy skin. Dovonex, a topical psoriasis treatment, contains synthetic vitamin D. It is acceptable to use supplements and topical creams as needed to help heal psoriasis, but it is always better to get nutritional elements from natural sources whenever possible.

The key to successful UV treatment is moderation. Limit time in the sun; come inside before you get burned. Use appropriate sunscreen, but be aware that SPF 8 or higher has been found to disable the skin's ability to produce vitamin D, according to an article at www.darquetan.com. It is important to use eye protection, because UV rays can penetrate a closed eyelid and cause conditions ranging from light sensitivity to cataracts.

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