Sunscreen & Sunglasses

Protection Against Sunburn & Snowblindness

Sunscreen and sunglasses are an important part of backwoods protection. Outdoors folk are especially prone to skin cancer.

One of my favorite hiking friends fought a vicious battle against melanoma (skin cancer) for over a year as a direct result of sun exposure. Unfortunately, he lost the battle and the cancer took his life. A tragic end to a wonderful, giving life—completely preventable.

Skin Protection

Apply sunscreen early, 30 minutes before sun exposure if possible. Use an SPF of 30-45. Be sure to apply to all exposed skin: head (if you are bald), ears, neck, face, exposed chest area, arms, hands, legs, etc. Do not wait until you see signs of redness before application. It is too late. Your skin is already reacting to excessive exposure. Reapply every couple of hours or earlier if you sweat excessively or go swimming.

Additionally, wear a hat with a wide brim that shades the face and neck. Wear loose-fitting long sleeves, especially during the hours when the sun is strongest, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you are on a long-distance hike in sun-exposed areas, it can be helpful to make lunch your main meal of the day. This will encourage a longer time of rest (choose a shady area) during the middle part of the day when the sun is stronger. A lighter meal in the evening allows you to hike later into the evening.

When hiking above tree line, you must be especially vigilant about your sun protection. Shade is nearly non-existent. Choose shady areas from rock out-croppings for your rest area. Reapply sun protection often.

Eye Protection

The eyes must be protected from the sun’s ultraviolet rays as well. Again, this is especially important at higher elevations. Snow blindness can occur in unprotected eyes. Snow blindness is similar to sunburn to the cornea of the eyes. Often, like sunburn, you do not know it has occurred until several hours later. The results can be anything from painful, bloodshot, swollen eyes to actual loss of vision. In extreme cases the vision loss can be permanent.

Wear sunglasses when hiking outside of heavily forested areas. Select a model that wraps around the eye to protect from the side. When hiking outside of shady areas, even on overcast or cloudy days, protect your vision.

Treatment for snow blindness is palliative in nature. Anti-inflammatory medications from your first aid kit can help with the pain. Also, cold compresses can help reduce swelling as well as be comforting to painfully swollen, irritated eyes.

Sun protection is an easily overlooked item. The results of failing to use it is not worth the inconvenience of carrying these two small items. Prolonged sun exposure can, unfortunately, be life threatening. Treatment for advanced skin cancer is unpleasant. Wear sunscreen.

This page dedicated to the memory of Allen Grant Smyth.

Thank you for giving.

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