Sunburn A Serious Problem For Cyclists Even In Winter Queensland Research Shows

Cyclists are being warned to slip, slop, slap following a Queensland study which shows they are regularly getting sunburnt.

Skin cancer researchers from QUT's Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) attached UV dosimeters to the head, backs of hands and ankles of 22 cyclists who took part in a seven-day charity bike ride in Queensland.

Senior Research Fellow Dr Michael Kimlin said on average their daily sun exposure exceeded, and in one case almost doubled, one minimal erythemal dose (MED) which is the amount of light needed to cause sunburn.

The highest exposures were recorded on the top of the head (1.80 MED), followed by the backs of the hands (1.28 MED), the side of the head (1.14 MED) and the ankle (0.94 MED).

"These measures are enough to cause skin damage, but they were taken during winter. They would get considerably higher doses of sunlight during summer," he said.

"Even vertically-oriented, potentially shaded sites like the lower leg typically receive doses of solar radiation no less than half of more exposed areas like the top of the head.

"Anecdotally we know that cyclists don't like using sunscreen because it's greasy and it makes their hands slip on the handlebars, but these results clearly show that they need to look at using alcohol-based sunscreens or wash their hands after applying creams."

Dr Kimlin said it was important that the sun safe message not be lost as more people were encouraged to take part in outdoor activities to combat the obesity epidemic.

"People are increasingly being encouraged to get outdoors for exercise whether it be walking, cycling or running which is a positive health message," he said.

"But we have to make sure that we aren't creating new health problems so we have to remember to slip slop slap."

For further information please go to:
Queensland University of Technology
Source:
UQT News Online