Most travellers are keen to take steps to protect themselves from the harmful effects of the sun, now that the link between skin cancer and sun exposure is established.
Sun exposure can make your skin age more quickly, too. And a case of sunburn or heat illness can really spoil your vacation
But what steps can you take to avoid sun damage while travelling?
What is UV index?
Local weather forecasts may provide a UV index. A UV index that is higher than 3 tells you that you need to take sun precautions.
Protecting your skin from the sun
When the UV index is 3 or higher, you’ll need to cover up to protect your skin. Chose clothing that covers your arms and legs, with a wide-brimmed hat to protect your scalp from sunburn.
Seek shade during the hottest part of the day and limit your time in the sun during this period.
Remember that reflected UV light coming off water, snow, sand and concrete can cause sunburn. You can get sunburn even when it’s cloudy.
Which sunscreen is best?
A pharmacist can recommend a good sunscreen. Apply it generously, and reapply it as needed, particularly after swimming.
Sunscreen can lose its potency over time, so check the date on any bottles you’ve got at home.
Protecting your eyes from the sun
Choose wraparound sunglasses with good coverage that will protect your eyes from both UVA and UVB rays.
Coping with heat
When travelling somewhere hot, allow yourself time to acclimatize to the heat by taking things slowly for a few days.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of safe water as this will help you to cope better in warm conditions.
People who need extra protection in heat
Some groups of people need to take extra care in hot conditions. These include:
- children and babies
- older people
- people with fair skin, or with fair or red hair
- people with a tendency to burn rather than tan
- people with lots of moles
- people with a family history of skin cancer
Bear in mind that some meds can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, or make you more sensitive to heat. Ask your pharmacist or prescriber to advice if you’ll be spending time in a hot location.
First aid for sunburn
If you have sunburn, get out of the sun and into a cool shower. Cold compresses can provide relief, as can over-the-counter painkillers. Keep your fluid levels up, and protect yourself from further sun exposure.
Sunburn and heat illness can be serious – seek medical attention if the symptoms do not resolve or the person seems very unwell.
Where can I get sun safety advice for my vacation?
The Government of Canada has advice on sun safety that may be of interest.
We have a travel advice article about sun safety.
When you come for your travel health appointment at one of our travel clinics in Calgary, you can ask any questions about sun safety. As well as travel vaccines, we can give advice on avoiding sun burn and heat illness.
To make a travel health appointment with Canadian Travel Clinics, use our clinics page to find your closest branch.