Truck driver Bill McElligott, 69, has unilateral dermatoheliosis, according to The New England Journal of Medicine. Essentially, ultraviolet A (UVA) rays transmitted through the window of his delivery truck have severely damaged the skin on the left side of his face during the 28 years he has spent driving on the job.
As a result, the left side of McElligott's face looks roughly 20 years older than the right, the Toronto Star reports. The difference between the two sides of his face is so pronounced, even medical experts were shocked.
"We are used to seeing photo damage by the sun, photo aging, every day, but I was taken aback when I saw how one-sided this was,'' said Dr. Jennifer Gordon, a dermatology expert who treated McElligott, in The Daily Telegraph.
Driving has been linked to an increased risk of
McElligott's photo surfaces as Sun Awareness Week heats up in Canada, throwing the spotlight on the dangers of UV damage and indoor tanning, particularly for minors. The Canadian Dermatology Association estimates 5,800 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed this year, causing 970 deaths, the CBC says.
The doctor's orders for McElligott? Sun protection, topical retinoids, and skin cancer monitoring. Car windows can also be tinted to protect against harmful UV rays, although each province in Canada has its own regulations.
Christine Janus, executive director of the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance (CSPA)
How To Protect Your Skin From The Sun
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"Wear sunscreen constantly," says Christine Janus, executive director of the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance (CSPA), an organization that provides support for those with skin conditions. Janus recommends wearing
Don't Take Risks -- With Your Skin
"If your skin looks or feels different, rough like sandpaper for example, get it checked -- don't wait," Janus says. Treatments for skin cancers exist, but the the more you expose your skin, the higher your risks are, she says.
Limit Exposure
"Limit your time outdoors and during peak hours when the sun is up," Janus says.
Make sure when you're outside you wear a hat. "Men should be wearing hat as well. The top spots for skin cancer for men is on their head and back," Janus says.
Try UV Clothing Or Umbrellas
Ultraviolet clothing is also another level of protection, Janus says. There are now companies that manufacture specialized items that have a built-in UV layer. She also recommends an umbrella.
Wear A Hat
