Originally published June 2018. Reviewed and corrected August 2026. Summer in the Ozarks is hot, and the sunscreen aisle is overwhelming. Here is how to choose one and use it properly. Which SPF? SPF 30 or higher, broad-spectrum, water-resistant. That covers most people. If you burn easily, have very fair skin, or have a personal or family history of skin … Read More
Poison Ivy: What Actually Works (and What Doesn’t)
Around 85% of people are allergic to poison ivy, oak and sumac. Only about 10 to 15% seem genuinely unable to react. Here are the facts and the fictions, because there is a lot of confident misinformation about this plant. FICTION: “I’ve never gotten it, so I’m immune.” This is the one that catches people out. The reaction is an … Read More
Skin Cancer: How to Protect Your Skin and What to Watch For
Summer in the Ozarks means lake days, gardening, and a lot more time in the sun. It is also a good moment to talk about the most common cancer in the country — and one of the most preventable. About 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70. The good news is that when it is caught … Read More