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18th Jun 2021

Public warned of high UV levels in Ireland today during sunny spells

Alan Loughnane

uv levels ireland

Take care.

Met Éireann is anticipating UV rays will reach high levels during the sunny spells in Ireland on Friday.

The forecaster is predicting UV levels of between 6 and 8 under clear skies on Friday, which is considered high for Ireland and requires extra sun protection.

Although, it also said temperatures will not reach the heights of some days in recent weeks and will stay between 14 and 18 degrees.

Cormac Spooner, a CarePlus Pharmacist in Dublin, advised the public that it’s important to protect your skin when the UV levels are high.

“A very sunny day might be rated at a UV level of 6 or more, but even at moderate levels of 3 – 5, you need to take precautions, including seeking shade during the hottest part of the day, wearing clothes that protect your skin as well as a hat and wraparound sunglasses, and using high SPF sunscreen,” he said.

He urged the public to take the following precautions to avoid suffering damage to their skin.

  • As soon as you feel you may be burning, seek shade and stay out of the sun.
  • Place a cool, damp towel gently on the affected area for 15 minutes, and have a cool shower or bath if possible.
  • If it’s very sore you can use over-the-counter anti-inflammatories to treat the pain and reduce inflammation.
  • Gently apply a moisturiser that contains aloe vera which will be kind to the skin. Do be careful and check to ensure any of the other ingredients won’t irritate the damaged area.
  • Wear loose clothing on the affected area for a few days
  • Make sure you drink plenty of water.
  • If you have blisters, having baths might be more gentle than showers until they’ve healed.

“The precautions I’ve mentioned above are all the more important for them and you should always use SPF 50 sunscreen on the little people in your life,” Spooner said.

“Babies under a year old should be kept in the shade and your buggy or pram’s sun shade is an essential piece of kit at this time of year.”

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