Essential Camping Items to Protect Your Health
As much as we love the great outdoors, there are some necessary evils; sun and insect protection to name a few.
Following the sun during our extended travels, protection measures have become part of our daily routine. We get out of bed in the morning, freshen up for the day ahead, and then coat ourselves with a liberal layer of sun protection cream. The face scores a special sun cream, whereas the rest of the body cops a broad-spectrum SPF 50+.
It’s often a recipe for extreme discomfort, as the extra layer of cream makes you sweat even more. Some sun cream washes out the colour of your face or imparts an unusual blue hue, not a great look. Still, we’re camping off grid for the most part, not eye-balling customers at a trade show.
By the evening when you’re hot and sweaty, it’s time to shower yourself in DEET or other personal repellent to keep the mozzies and other critters away. Some people are a natural attractant for such pests. Anita is a case in point. If sandflies are present, they will find her. And as such, she has an armoury of soothing treatments to ease the itch.
Each night, to return yourself to some degree of comfort, a wash is in order. If water permits, a warm shower is a complete rebirth as the fragrant smell of shampoo fills the air; it’s a welcome relief from that woody body odour. More frequently though, it’s making the best of a Wet One or a damp flannel.
As a child, I grew up in the sun. During my youth, I’d spend every day of the holidays at the beach, soaking up the warm rays of sunshine, and sailing a catamaran in wide open bays of the Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne. In the afternoon, the sea breeze would kick in, lifting a hull as we skimmed across the water. It was all about enjoying the sun and the sea.
Sunburn was a frequent event, not by choice, but often by failing to apply the dreaded cream as required, especially with the reflections off the water.
The Big Lap was a game changer for skin colour. After a few months on the road chasing the sun, our complexion punched up a notch or two, yielding a lovely brown glow. We were still slapping on the sun cream, a ritual to which you soon become accustomed.
Hats are critical
Ten years on, committed to long hours in the office, the focus is trying to maintain a balance of Vitamin D to keep healthy. This isn’t too difficult, as the hair has receded, exposing more scalp. I feel a lot more vulnerable now though, and it doesn’t take long before the hat is returned to my head. I can feel the searing heat much more readily!
Speaking of head cover, hats are a critical protective measure. Caps don’t really cut it, as they expose the neck and ears too much. And while a wide-brimmed hat provides the best protection, they can be difficult to transport. And then there’s fashion to consider. Finding something that looks good, but still serves its purpose can be a challenge.
In recent years, I’ve experienced a few basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) which have been removed. In fact, my last check revealed a small lump, which bled a tiny spot of blood from time to time, mostly after showering. Monitored over a few months is did not heal and it was diagnosed as a BCC. Fortunately, under local anaesthetic, it was a pain free process, cutting it from the scalp! A few stitches and we’re back in the game, healthy and happy.
Check your skin
The Skin Cancer Foundation suggests checking for BCCs where your skin is most exposed to the sun, especially the face, ears, neck, scalp, chest, shoulders and back. However, they can occur anywhere on the body.
Visit the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation to read more about how to check for BCCs.
Annual skin check-ups are now part of our regular health regimen. More than ever, we need to take preventative measures to protect our sun damaged skin, and that means a decent hat, long sleeved shirts, and often pants as well.