To think sunny holidays are actually incredibly dangerous

[Monikaems]

People go to the Mediterranean or other warm destination soley with the purpose of baking themselves in sun, often times this is done without sunprotection but even with sunprotection it can still be dangerous. The UV exposure from just two weeks in the sun can be months and months of what someone would get in the UK.

AIBU to think we should be better educated about the risks of sun exposure. It breaks my heart seeing little kids burnt.

Melanoma rates are increasing every year, we place warnings on sunbeds but not on sunny holidays. It seems absolutely bizzare that there is no warning on sun loungers about the risks of exposure.

AIBU

It seems absolutely bizzare that there is no warning on sun loungers about the risks of exposure. because maybe you would expect that people can actually use their brains and take responsibility for themselves.

Yanbu, people take absurd risks with the sun. I see people willingly get burned on the basis that ‘it will turn to tan’ without seeming to care that the burn is incredibly dangerous, and even a tan is a sign of sun damage. Not to mention the serious risk of dehydration and heat stroke.

I get teased by friends because I wear factor 50, stay in the shade and never sunbathe, but I think people are seriously kidding themselves about the risk involved.

I love a sunny holiday, we go outside of our summer so usually 25 degrees or there abouts. Kids have never burnt, we know how to take care of them when it's hot...surely anyone with half a brain does, and a warning wouldn't stop those who don't

Do the majority of people not use suncream? That’s not my experience.

I think people know the risks but generally care more about having a tan. I know people who exercise, eat right, don’t smoke and yet are quite happy to tan/burn, which is so odd to me.

And you’re right that skin cancer cases have risen since the rise of the package holiday in the 60s. It’s the sudden high exposure that does the most damage.

Warnings on sun loungers?

Yeah, and also on sofas reminding people not to sit down too long. And on fridges to remind them not to fill it with shit food. And on shoes to remind them not to walk too far without stopping for a break.

I'm going into the labels business.

I completely agree, I am in a warm destination at the moment, not here on holiday but visiting family and it is genuinely scary especially when you see groups of late teens and early 20s getting so burnt, they should have had spf drummed into them

I think people are much more aware especially with kids. It’s much easier to buy rash vests now for example and most kids seem to be in uv suits.

Do the majority of people not use suncream? That’s not my experience.

Sunscreen is really a way of mitigating daily exposure to the sun which can result in burning or damage.

While it prevents burn and that is good, a dermatologist would tell you that it should never be used on its own as a method of sun protection, along with hats, sunglasses and shade.

So putting sun cream on to then purposely expose yourself to the sun, is like eating salad for lunch to have a pizza for dinner it helps but it is still harmful.

Honestly OP, if there are still people who don't know that the sun causes sunburn, I think there's probably no helping them. You'd have to be living under a rock not to know.

And people don't just 'go to the Mediterranean or other warm destination soley with the purpose of baking themselves in sun' they might go to do watersports, or see cultural attractions, enjoy different types of food or relax.

I have very pale skin, I go to the Med several times a year, always wear sunscreen, never burn and never really go anywhere near a sunlounger so wouldn't see all these warnings that you seem to think I need.

Whilst it's not good for your skin to burn or tan, and can increase your risk of getting skin cancer (and wrinkles) later in life, I really think lots of people go overboard with the sun-fear thing. As a population, most of the UK are deficient in vitamin D due to not spending enough time with skin exposed outdoors. Sun lotions prevent our bodies making vitamin D in the sun, and deficiency can cause some very serious problems. The sun is good for your mental and physical health, as well as being potentially dangerous. It's just all about enjoying warm weather without burning or getting sunstroke. Everything in moderation!

But people are not unaware of the risks. People make an informed risk to disregard the dangers. Like when we get in a car or cross the road.

I think you have a moral obligation, if not a legal obligation, to keep your children safe in the sun but labels on sun loungers won't help in that regard.

Oh, and a relative of mine who died from Melanoma never actually left the UK.

Warnings on sun loungers? About the sun? The big ball of gas in the sky?

Ok........

Such a cheerful thread on such a beautiful day

I'm going into the labels business

Me too

It's not gas, it's plasma

You are right

I think people are aware but like anything in life some choose to ignore it. You can burnt in the UK also. Don't see how going on holidays is dangerous tbh

Oh ffs. We’ve been freezing for 10 months. Let us enjoy some sunshine without your faux sympathy for people you don’t know.

YANBU. People still seem to disregard the advice about staying out of the sun between 11am-3pm.

I think British kids normally look very well protected, sometimes excessively slathered in cream, vest, hat, goggles. Must all be bit D deficient. Compared with those blond Scandinavian kids who are tanned dark brown and running around in the smallest pants. I agree brits are more careless as they age.

I don't know anyone that doesn't use sun protection on holiday. I also don't knew anyone that doesn't use factor 30 at least on their children.
I've never seen a small child sunburnt.
Maybe I live a sheltered life.
Sunny holidays are not dangerous, stupidity is.

Well, that's quite a lot of assumptions you have made

How do you know that they go 'solely' for the sun? Maybe they like the food, the history, the people, the landscape or a million other things.

'Often without protection'

Are you spying on them from the cover of a sunshade or something?

Just how educated are they about the risks of sun exposure, and how do you know?

You can put a warning on a sunbed, because it is an object. A 'sunny holiday' is not an object.

Sunburn is not nice, and not healthy, but I wouldn't 'break my heart' over it, because that sounds dangerous. I might need it later

The UV exposure from just two weeks in the sun can be months and months of what someone would get in the UK.

AIBU to think we should be better educated about the risks of sun exposure. It breaks my heart seeing little kids burnt.

I love to have some colour on my skin and really don’t like using fake tan. I love the sun. I generally don’t burn but sometimes I underestimate the sun and I do burn, especially if there’s a breeze. I do understand the risk but I choose to take it because being in the sun and getting a bit of colour is fabulous for my mental health, and is one of my favourite things in life.

I watched and nursed my parents through lung cancer and emphysema, because they enjoyed smoking. I can’t abide smoking myself, but sitting in the sun and enjoying a cold drink or walking or cycling on a lovely sunny day are my absolute pleasures.

Of course i would be absolutely gutted if I was unlucky, but I am fully aware of the risks.