Albinism and holidays

[BlondieR22]

Hi All,

I am currently going through a bit of a journey with my little boy. He is looking at being tested for albinism.

I am pretty sure he has it, mummas gut instinct!

anyway, he’s 6 months and we are going on holiday to Cyprus at the end of the month where it will be very hot and sunny. My question is, am I mad? I feel almost neglectful. I know I will
be super careful protecting him from the sun, but is that just cruel for him?

tbh I feel we can deal with it now .. but does a diagnoses mean no hot holidays for us as he gets older? Surely when he’s older I can’t keep him under an umbrella and won’t he just keep taking his hat off etc.. it’s not the end of the world, but a massive life style change as we love our summer hols!

hoping someone may have some experience in this xx

No experience with albinism at all

But you can find nowadays full bathing suits for children with added Uv protection. And also very cool colourful extremely high UV protection face sunblocks (usually in surf shops)

Things are much easier and cooler than when we were kids. I remember the suncream we used to wear stayed on the skin as white as wearing a shirt! And my dad used to draw buttons and a collar 😂

You will be able to go on holidays but not beach holidays which people from colder climates in the developed world tend to be fond off.

Most people with obvious albinism families originate from hot climates and they manage.

In your case once he can move independently and until he is older enough to be reasoned with you should clearly avoid anywhere sunny where you are outside for most of the day.

Oh! And DD1 had a swimming hat with a neck cover (like a flap at the back)

This might help - www.albinism.org.uk/faq/

But why not just stay in the UK for the first couple of years/avoid really hot holidays? Trying to avoid the sun is a PITA even without taking albinism into account...