• Clean Water
• Food and drink on holiday
• Immunisation
• Insect Bites on Holiday
• Jet Lag
• Motion sickness
• Pregnant travellers
• Safe Sex
• Sun exposure
• Taking medicine overseas
• Travel Medical Kits
• Volunteers and expeditions

Sun exposure

Over exposure to the sun is where the skin has been exposed to harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation which can cause burning and can be a cause of discomfort and worse particularly during the first few days of your holiday, wherever that may be. Sun burn causes wrinkles, leathered and freckled skin and has the potential to trigger various forms of skin cancer. The excessive use of tanning beds can also have the same effects.

There are a few basic rules to follow when trying to avoid over exposure. Firstly, avoid sun shock. This is a relatively new term referring to the shock to the skin when exposed to the sun after many months. It is tempting to sit in the warmth of the sun during spring and most people consider the sun's rays too weak at this time of year to do any harm to the skin. However, the skin still needs protection with sun lotion.

Most people, however, experience sun shock at the beginning of a summer holiday abroad where they relax by the pool in the first few days. During that time the skin needs to be slowly introduced to the harmful rays. Spending one hour at the most in the sun wearing a high sun protection factor (SPF) will mean that the skin is less likely to experience over exposure to the sun.

By sitting in the shade and protecting the head and shoulders with a wide brimmed sun hat the chances of sunstroke will be further reduced. In addition, it is important to drink plenty of water in order to avoid dehydration. The lure of the sea can be tempting when sunbathing and it is all too easy to end the day with a burnt back as the swimmer is cooled by the sea, but unable to feel the sun's rays on exposed skin. The addition of sea salt and sand on the skin exacerbates the damage. The cooling effect of swimming pools can similarly engender a false sense of security.

The sun should be avoided during the hottest hours. In most locations, this means between the hours of 10AM and 3PM. If you are out in the sun during these hours, cover vulnerable areas such as shoulders, back, neck and feet with clothing and stick to the shade. Sun glasses should always be worn in the sun to avoid long term damage to the eyes.

The choice of sun protection products can seem overwhelming. If you are unsure as to which SPF your skin type requires, consult a pharmacist. Select a high factor such as 40-50 SPF for fair skin during the first few days of exposure to the sun and gradually work your way down to 30 SPF. Medium skin can start with perhaps 20-30 SPF and graduate slowly to 15 SPF.

Many people are increasingly choosing to wear high protection factor tops and swimming gear which are highly effective but do remember to protect any exposed areas including those underneath the extremes of the clothing with appropriate sun lotion.

Children's skin is especially vulnerable to the sun and there are special water proof high factor lotions available on the market designed specifically for kids. Babies should, under no circumstances, spend any significant time in direct sunlight and must be fully protected from reflected light, even though they may be in the shade.