Sun exposure Traveller's health prevention against diseases abroad; vaccination, diseases, travel medicine, useful tips

Heat & Sunburn

Sun Exposure

Travelling to areas where air temperature and air moisture exceeds what you are used to some precausions have to be taken. The best protection after staying indoor is using a sun lotion with an appropriate Sun Protection Factor factor 15 or higher. Sun factor preparations work by reducing or blocking the effects of sunlight allowing a person to stay in the sun longer. Re-apply regulary especially during prolonged exposure to sun and after swimming.

If you take any medication it is recommended to check if the medicine increases the skin's sensitivity to sunlight.

General Precautions

Avoid the mid-day sun, usually from noon until 2 p.m. (3 p.m. in the tropics).
Adults should wear a broad brimmed hat, long sleeved shirts and sunglasses.
Children should wear long sleeved shirts, hats and high-factor waterproof sun-lotion
Babies under 9 months should be kept out of direct sunlight.
Never lie in the sun to dry off after swimming, the skin will burn in a matter of minutes.
use sunglasses ( for maximal protection use glasses with an light absorption up to 400 nm)
High altitude climbers etc. should wear a hat with a neck cover and sunglasses with nose shields and blinker side pieces.

Notice that wet, bleached and old clothing have reduced ability for sun protection.

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Updated 02-Mar-2003 • ŠtraveldoctorOnline 2001 • Disclaimer • webmaster

The contents within traveldoctoronline are presented only for informational purposes and cannot substitute for professional health care or any other medical treatment. All users of this website with health problems should be oblige always to consult their medical doctor before starting any treatment.