When you travel by motorhome, you spend far more time outdoors than in everyday life: beaches, mountains, road trips, meals outside, whole days under the sun. That's wonderful, but it multiplies your sun exposure and, with it, the risk to your skin. Protecting your skin from the sun is an important health issue (cumulative exposure is the main factor behind skin cancer). Here's how to look after yourself. (This doesn't replace medical advice; if you notice any suspicious skin lesion, see a dermatologist.)
Why the risk is higher on the road
- Much more exposure: whole days outdoors, often several in a row.
- Environments that reflect and add up: water, sand and, above all, altitude in the mountains and snow significantly increase UV radiation.
- It's easy to let your guard down: with a sea breeze or cool mountain air you don't notice the heat, but the sun still burns just as much.
How to protect your skin
- High-factor sun cream, applied generously and reapplied every few hours (and after swimming or sweating). Most people apply far too little.
- Avoid peak hours (when the sun is strongest) for intense activities; seek out shade.
- Physical protection: a cap or hat, certified sunglasses, a shirt (ideally UV-protective for water and mountain sports).
- Extra protection on sensitive areas (face, ears, neck, feet, lips with a stick).
- Watch out for children and babies: their skin is far more vulnerable; step up protection and shade (see travelling with children).
If you get sunburnt
For sunburn: get out of the sun, cool the area with lukewarm water, moisturise with aftersun or a soothing cream, drink water (burns cause dehydration) and don't pop any blisters. If the burn is extensive, with lots of blisters, fever or feeling unwell (especially in children), seek medical attention. And over the following days, protect the area thoroughly (see health and first-aid kit).
Don't forget the heat
Sun goes hand in hand with heat: stay well hydrated and watch out for heatstroke, especially in summer and with children and pets (see your camper during a heatwave and protecting your pet).
In short
Travelling by camper multiplies your sun exposure, so protecting your skin (well-applied and reapplied high-factor sun cream, avoiding peak hours, physical protection) is an important health issue. The step you can take today: bring and actually use high-factor sun cream (reapplying it), seek shade during peak hours, and take extra care with children and in the mountains and snow, where the sun hits harder than it seems. Pair it with health and first-aid kit.