This column comes to you from the parts of me that are not stinging and sore. I’m sitting here with a cold compress on the back of my neck and a cool drink.
Sunburn is caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It’s possible to get sunburn, even when there is cloud cover because 80% of the UV makes it through the clouds. I had no such problem, the sun sat high in the bright blue sky. A beautiful summer morning on the Isle of Wight.
I’m old enough to know the dangers of the sun. But being male and of a certain vintage, sunscreen is for the “wusses”. I only apply that stuff if the sun is giving it large or because Mary (my wife) realises I haven’t got any on.
The other potion I end up using is after-sun. You know, because by then, the burning has happened. You have to pick the good stuff with Aloe vera in it because it’s the only way to handle the burning.
But the point for me is: sunburn is the side-effect of being out and about in the sun. So, I’m always likely to get sunburned because I’d rather be out and about than stuck in being bored. Sure, slap the factor 50 on, but get out there.
This particular burning came about from a couple of trips to the beach with Ellie, our granddaughter. She’s learning to love being in the sea and the whole beach experience. I see it as my job to make sure she gets the most out of it as possible.
Mary slaps the factor 50 on her, so she is looking tanned and healthy. Her grandad on the other hand, is looking knackered and resembling an overripe strawberry. But I don’t care, because, like I said, it’s the job. As long as Ellie is having a great time, job done.
That’s the gig. Or it is the way I see it. I’ve been sunburned before. It’s a fact of life when you like being out and about, like I said earlier. But the other point is: I reckon the sun is more likely to burn you these days.
The sun itself isn’t more intense. But the effect of greenhouse gases means that carbon dioxide and other emissions act like a warm blanket around the planet.
Hang on though, I’m not into all that man-made climate change woo-woo. But I do believe there is climate change and it’s true we haven’t helped. The planet has done its own thing for billions of years. But there’s no doubt that as we move into our fifth heatwave of the summer, things are changing.
As to why, that’s a contentious argument but one thing is sure, the grumpy old fella writing this is definitely getting sunburned more often. Though could be my skin is getting old and knackered.
Right, time to slap some after-sun on so I don’t glow like a radioactive blob all night.