ADVENTURE DOC

Fahrenheit OUCH

Globetrotting physician Erik McLaughlin, M.D., explains how to have fun in the sun — without frying yourself to a crisp.

By Erik McLaughlin, M.D.

Nothing ruins a cruise faster than a bad sunburn. Not only is sunburn painful, it can lead to skin damage and even skin cancer. Take out some sunburn insurance by investing in a little planning. Pack a few small bottles of a good sunscreen. They're easy to tote in a day bag. Just be sure to use them.

It's the ultraviolet energy emitted by the sun that sautés our skin. To block those rays use a sunscreen with a protection factor of 30 or greater. But keep in mind that not all sunscreens are alike. The ideal sunscreen is one that keeps you safe from ultraviolet energy but does not cause you other problems, such as skin allergies or stained clothing. Read labels. Sunscreens containing PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) cause dermatitis in 4 percent of users. Oils spread easily but may cause pimples. Aerosols are just plain wasteful. Unless you can ensure an even spray you’re probably not going to cover yourself adequately. Sunscreen creams and lotions are your best bet.

Apply sunscreen liberally to all areas of exposed skin, including backs of hands, ears, nose, and tops of feet. Do this from 15 to 30 minutes before swimming and reapply immediately after leaving the water. Also know that a DEET-based insect repellant will reduce the effectiveness of sunscreen by about 35 percent.