Wear Sunscreen to Protect Your Skin
Being stuck in the cabin of a big rig for hours every day may seem like it’s far enough indoors to eliminate any worries about exposure to sunlight, but the rays beating on a truck driver’s skin while they’re behind the wheel can actually do some serious damage.
How the Sun Can Damage Truckers’ Skin
The sun may seem like a minor annoyance when truck drivers are dealing with the heat caused by beating rays or a glare that makes it hard to see the road ahead, but the damage done to long-haul drivers goes beyond making the trip uncomfortable.
While skin cancer gets the most attention as a negative consequence of exposure to sunlight, cancerous lesions are not the only concern. The aging effects of sunlight have been highlighted by a photograph of a 69-year-old retired truck driver whose face has aged disproportionately due to increased exposure to sunlight on the left side. While the right side of his face reflects his true age, the left side of his face is riddled with sagging skin, age spots and wrinkles that are a result of the sun beating down on that side while he drove his truck.
Medical professionals warn that this condition, known as unilateral dermatoheliosis, could lead to a dangerous case of melanoma. Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer that a person can get, and those with advanced melanoma may only have a 10 percent chance of survival.
Fortunately, truckers can take steps to protect themselves from the sun’s harmful rays while on the road.
Protecting Your Skin on the Road
Sunscreen with a high SPF is a must while on the road. While taking the time to apply sunscreen on a regular basis may seem like a hassle, the few minutes it takes to quickly apply sunscreen to exposed skin is worth the benefits of avoiding skin cancer and premature aging of the skin.
Hats with a wide brim protect the head and face, and sunglasses keep harmful rays away from the eyes. Exposure to the sun can be limited by wearing clothing that covers the skin as much as possible. Some articles of clothing are even treated with chemicals that boost sun protection, so opt for these types of clothes whenever possible.
Be proactive about protection from the sun while on the road to avoid the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays.