Welcome to Travelturtle, the travel health advice site that provides you with country specific medical and vaccination reports usually only available to registered UK healthcare professionals.
Use this page to access a full range of information on sunburn advice, and sunburn treatment.
- Find generic information on the major causes of heat stroke abroad.
- Find a bank of information on the treatment for sunburn and who’s at risk.
- Find information outlining the differing courses of sun-screens available and the best application to avoid sunburn.
- Access key information about the benefits of the sun and sun exposure, whilst avoiding heat stroke abroad and the need for sunburn treatment.
Other useful links related to sunburn advice:
- International Weather Conditions
Sunburn
Sun tanning and sunburn advice
Secrets of the sun’s rays
The part of sunlight involved in skin damage is ultraviolet radiation, which is divided into three types: A, B and C.
UVA is least powerful and tends not to cause burning. But it is present all the time, throughout the year, and is responsible for some of the ageing effects and increased cancer risk from sun exposure.
UVB is the part of the spectrum responsible for burning and tanning. Levels fluctuate depending on the latitude, time of day and season. It is the high levels of UVB in midday tropical sun that make it so dangerous. UVB is a major contributor to the sun’s effects on skin ageing and risk of skin cancer.
UVC is the most powerful form of ultraviolet radiation but is barred from reaching the surface of the planet by the ozone layer.
Who to protect
- Babies and children
- People with very fair complexions, particularly albinos
- People who already have sun-damaged skins
- Those on drugs that sensitise the skin to sun, such as tetracycline, doxycycline, diuretics and drugs for diabetes.
Precautions travellers should take for sun protection abroad
- Avoid the sun at its most intense – sunbathe only in the morning and late afternoon; stay out of the sun from noon until 3pm.
- Wear a wide brimmed hat, tight-weave fabrics and long sleeves.
- Keep children and babies out of direct sunlight.
- Dress children in sun protective clothing.
- Be particularly cautious if travelling during the winter, as pale skins can burn within a few minutes in a tropical sun.
- Be aware that the reflective effect of water, sand and snow increases the intensity of UV light and causes burning to occur even more quickly.
- The cooling effects of water or wind can be misleading. Just because skin feels cool does not mean it is not burning.
Sun screens
- Sun protection factors are a guide only. Above SPF 15 only the really big numbers give significant extra protection.
- In the UK there is a star system for UVA screens, while some overseas will give a block value. Cosmetically acceptable 99 per cent or even 100 per cent UVA blocks are available.
- Sunscreens should be applied often, especially after swimming. A waterproof cream should be used if swimming.
Sun is good for……
- psoriasis
- some cases of acne
- vitamin D production
- psychological health
