Fear of the sun

[MisterM]

Hi all,
For about 10 years now (since I got sizzled lobster red at the Aus Open tennis) I have had a fear of going out in the sunshine (even on overcast days) during high UV periods of spring and summer. I've talked about this fear with my psychologist.
I am pale and burn easy and I always fear I may get skin cancer from previous sunburns in childhood/teenagehood and at the tennis 10 years ago.

Days out at work like work lunches or activity days in the outdoors used to cause me tremendous anxiety as noone would slip slop slap and I felt weird if I did so I always did my best to hide in the shade.
If my manager organised a team lunch at a nearby restaurant I would scope it out beforehand to see if it was open to the elements or if there are shaded parts.
If I get invited out by people to a park for lunch or any outdoor activity I get fear and apprehension straight away.
I make excuses to avoid going or to arrive later in the day.

I avoid the outdoors in spring and summer until the safe times.
I often got/get made fun of for wearing wide brimmed hat and sunscreen.
Once I got laughed at by colleagues for putting on sunscreen.

Anyone else have this weird abnormal fear like I do?

How do you manage?

[Scotchfinger]

MisterM

I have weird abnormal fears , absolutely.

Not so much fear of sun though. But I do avoid the sun in the middle of the day, going to the beach in early mornings.

I don't think you should feel as if you are weird. There is a lot of awareness of slip, slop and slap so if anything you look to be the wise one and they the foolish ones.

[Guest_5218]

Hello Mister M.  I dont think your worry over exposure to the sun is weird or abnormal at all.  I am also fair skinned and freckled with easily burned skin.  As I was always very active in sport as a youngster, then through my teenaged years, and into adulthood, I got badly burned many times.  Always swore I wouldnt do it again, but unable to give up the things I loved to do, I failed again and again.  I covered up as much as I reasonable could with long shirts etc when swimming, waterskiing and other water sports.  But much more difficult with other outdoor sports that I used to participate in.  By the time I was a young adult I definitely used a sunscreen before going out for any length of time.  I might add that I grew up in the 60's and 70's before the awareness of skin cancers etc was outed!  I was always the odd one out as I sought shade whenever I could, and I was never one of the sunbaked bronzed ozzies. The discomfort and after affects of suffering bad sunburn is not to be trifled with, so sunburn was avoided wherever possible.  But it wasnt always possible unfortunately.

These days with the awareness of what too much sun can do and with repeated reminders through the slip-slop-slap campaign, I actually think it has become normal to take precautions against the sun.  So you and I are suddening the sensible ones, and fast coming to the stage where we are a part of the growing majority.  

I too worry as to whether there is going to be shade where we are going, and I also worry about how long I may need to be out in the sun for any particular outing.  I wear a hat whenever practical however, and use an SPF 25 moisturiser every day as a matter of course.  There are always occasions that you dont anticipate that you will be caught out in the sun, so its good to always use some form of sun protection whenever you go out.

I really think that Scotchfinger is spot on when he says that the foolish ones are those who do not take action against sun exposure.  And I cannot imagine why anybody would laugh at you for using a sunscreen.  How ridiculous of them!  Continue to avoid the sun during the high UV periods, use hat or sunscreen whenever you cant avoid being outdoors in the sun, wear long sleeved cotton clothing and long pants and look for shade if possible.  Its important that you dont avoid social occasions because of your fear of sunburn.  But you can take necessary precautions against sunburn.  You just need to be comfortable in doing so.

Sherie 

[Guest_5218]

Another point I wanted to stress to you MisterM is that you must be vigilant with checking your skin regularly for any changes to moles, or any skin discolouration, or other changes.  As you and I have fair skin, we are more susceptible to skin cancers.  Although no skin types are totally immune, fair skins are at a greater risk unfortunately.  

If you have someone to check the less accessible areas of your skin (back, neck, etc) then have them do that for you. Another method to monitor any moles or discolourations on your skin is to photograph it, and take further photos later to compare.  If you notice anything that concerns you, definitely have it checked out by your GP.  

As a matter of course you should ask your GP to do an annual check of your skin.  An alternative is to go to one of those skin cancer clinics that a lot of towns and cities have these days.  For your own peace of mind, have yourself checked regularly.  Hopefully this will allow you to be a little less fearful of developing a skin cancer. It is important to get them early, so remain vigilant at all times.

Sherie x

[MisterM]

Thank you all for replying.
Yeah I check as often as I can.
I got badly burnt on my scalp when I had shaved hair. Now it is hard to check as my hair is long.

[Elizabeth CP]

I am glad I am not the only one with this fear. I came to Australia in 1960 and have fair skin. I had bad sunburn each year. In those days you weren't allowed to wear a tee shirt over your bathers and there was no reliable sunscreen. The last really severe sunburn occurred at the time of a very traumatic event so the two are now linked in my brain.

I avoid the sun where possible. I wear long sleeves, hat and trousers or skirts when everyone else is wearing barely anything. I might look stupid and end up feeling hot but I can't cope otherwise. Even with sunscreen on as soon as I feel sun on my skin I start worrying about being burnt. 

Like you it spoils summer as it restricts my ability to go out & enjoy myself. This also has a negative impact on mood because I'm stuck inside with too much time to think.

Perhaps put sunscreen on before going out or escape to the toilet or somewhere private to put on sunscreen if people give you a hard time about it. I often put it on in the morning before leaving the house. As for wearing hats and clothes to cover up just do it and try to ignore negative comments. 

[Bluey_moon]

I have been there Mister M. In fact skin cancer was one of my big fears.

i get yearly skin checks and try to slip slop slap as much as I can! 

I basically tell myself, I can't change what I've already done but I can control what I do now!