I took a breath of sunscreen spray and got white lungs!

Review expert: Gu Haitong, deputy chief physician of respiratory medicine department, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University

In the hot summer, sunscreen spray has become a must-have for many of us. Its ingredients are mainly composed of water, alcohol, titanium dioxide, etc. Among them, water is the main ingredient of sunscreen spray, accounting for about 70%-80%; alcohol is a solvent that can promote the mixing and dissolution of other ingredients in sunscreen spray; titanium dioxide and other ingredients play a role in absorbing ultraviolet rays.

However, you may never have thought that this seemingly harmless product could actually be a serious health threat.

Source: Variety show screenshot

According to the DaHunan client, a 20-year-old young man, Li Lin (pseudonym), developed chest tightness and coughing symptoms after accidentally inhaling some sunscreen spray. The hospital's examination results showed that Li Lin had large areas of white lesions in both lungs - "white lungs".

Source | New Hunan Client

1

What is white lung? What conditions are likely to cause white lung?

After the test of the epidemic, everyone should have heard of the "white lung" of severe pneumonia. White lung refers to a condition in which white lesions appear in the lungs, also known as white lung lesions. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, coughing, chest pain, fever, etc.

This lesion can be caused by exudates or inflammation within the lung tissue and can be associated with a variety of diseases and can be triggered by a variety of conditions:

>>>> 1. Infection: Lung infection by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites is one of the most common causes of white lung.

>>>>2. Chronic diseases: Long-standing diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis and bronchiectasis can cause lung lesions and fibrosis, and may also lead to white lung.

>>>>3. Tumors: Malignant tumors or lung metastases may cause damage and inflammation of lung tissue, leading to white lung.

>>>>4. Drug reaction: Certain drugs or chemicals such as antibiotics, anticancer drugs, immunosuppressants, etc. may cause lung inflammation and lesions, leading to white lung.

>>>>5. Lung diseases: pneumonia, pulmonary edema, empyema, tuberculosis, pulmonary embolism, radiation exposure, occupational lung disease, etc. may also cause white lung.

In summary, in addition to the most common causes of white lung, such as infection and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage syndrome , inhalation of harmful substances such as dust and spray can also cause large-scale white lesions in the lungs . This young patient inhaled part of the sunscreen product into his lungs due to improper use, which led to the occurrence of "white lung". For the treatment of white lung, it is necessary to choose the appropriate treatment method according to the specific cause. Be sure to consult a doctor for accurate diagnosis and treatment. If lung symptoms or signs of white lung occur, it is recommended to see a doctor as soon as possible and undergo further examination and diagnosis.

The case of white lungs caused by accidentally inhaling sunscreen spray is a thought-provoking example, which reminds us that even the sunscreen spray that we are accustomed to in daily use has considerable safety risks.

2

Other safety risks of spray sunscreen

Under the scorching sun, applying sunscreen before going out has become a must. Among the dazzling array of sunscreen products, sunscreen spray has become popular for its convenient use and refreshing texture. However, we should also realize that sunscreen spray products themselves have some safety hazards, which require us to remain vigilant.

Secondly, some ingredients in sunscreen sprays may be flammable. For example, denatured ethanol, butane, isobutane and other ingredients may cause accidents when exposed to open flames, burning tobacco or other fire sources .

Source: Shangguan News

In addition, some ingredients in sunscreen spray products may induce allergic reactions , including skin itching, redness, swelling, rashes and other symptoms, which may even endanger life safety in severe cases.

While enjoying the summer sun, we must be aware of the safety risks of spray sunscreen products and take appropriate precautions.

Source | pixabay

3

Correct use of sunscreen spray

Only by mastering the correct usage method can we give full play to the effectiveness of sunscreen spray and effectively protect the skin from the harm of ultraviolet rays.

When purchasing in the early stage, choose a suitable sunscreen spray product according to your skin type and UV intensity. For infants and young children, it is best to use liquid or emulsion sunscreen products .

Source | pixabay

Before using the product, it is best to conduct a skin sensitivity test by spraying a small amount on the wrist or inner forearm to see if it causes an allergic reaction. If allergic symptoms occur, stop using it immediately and seek medical advice.

Be sure to shake the sunscreen spray bottle thoroughly to ensure that the spray is evenly distributed.

Try to avoid using it in closed or poorly ventilated environments. It is best to use it outdoors in a spacious or well-ventilated area.

When using, make sure to avoid excessive spraying and avoid spraying the spray directly on the face or near the respiratory tract. It is generally recommended to keep it about 10-15 cm away from the skin . You can put your palm in front of your mouth and nose to prevent the spray from entering the respiratory tract.

To protect your skin, avoid continuously spraying sunscreen spray on the same part of the body at close range for more than 3 seconds - the propellant in the sunscreen spray will evaporate quickly and absorb heat after spraying. If used for a long time or at close range, it may cause the risk of frostbite to the skin.

In addition, reapply sunscreen spray regularly according to the product's recommendations and your own situation, especially after activities such as swimming, sweating, and toweling.

Please remember that using sunscreen spray correctly is only part of preventing sun exposure. In this summer, in order to pursue beauty and health, we should not only use sunscreen products appropriately, but also try to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, wear sunscreen clothing, sun hats and sunglasses for physical sun protection, and protect the skin from UV damage. Pay attention not only to the protection of the outer layer, but also to the health of the inner layer, so as to spend a cool and comfortable summer perfectly.