The Sun
Australia's biggest health problem for fair-skinned visitors is also one of its chief attractions: sunshine . A sunny day in London, Toronto, or even Miami, is not the same as a cloudless day in Cairns, and the intensity of the Australian sun's damaging ultraviolet rays is far greater. Whether this is because of Australia's proximity to the reputed ozone hole is a matter of debate, but there's absolutely no doubt that the southern sun burns more fiercely than anything in the northern hemisphere, and you need to take extra care. Australians of European origin, especially those of Anglo-Saxon or Celtic decent, could not be less suited to Australia's outdoor lifestyle, which is why two out of three Australians are statistically likely to develop skin cancer in their lifetime, the world's worst record. About five percent of these will develop potentially fatal melanomas , and about a thousand die each year. Looking at the ravaged complexions of some older Australians (who had prolonged exposure to the sun in the days before there was an awareness of the great dangers of skin cancer) should be enough to make you want to cover yourself with lashings of the highest factor (SPF 35+) sun block, widely used and sold just about everywhere. Sunscreen should not be used on babies less than six months old: instead, keep them out of direct sunlight. What looks like war paint on the noses of surfers and small children is actually zinc cream ; the thick, sticky waterproof cream, which comes in fun colours, provides a total blockout and is particularly useful when applied to protruding parts of the body, such as noses and shoulders. These days, Australians are fully aware of the sun's dangers, and you're constantly reminded to " Slip, Slop, Slap ", the government-approved catch phrase reminding you to slip on a T-shirt, slop on some sun block and slap on a hat - sound advice. Pay attention to any moles on your body: if you notice any changes, either during or after your trip, see a doctor; cancerous melanomas are generally easily removed if caught early. To prevent headaches and - in the long term - cataracts, it's a good idea to wear sunglasses ; look for "UV block" ratings when you buy a pair. The sun can also cause heat exhaustion and sunstroke , so as well as keeping well covered up, stay in the shade if you can. Drink plenty of liquids: on hot days when walking, experts advise drinking a litre of water an hour - which is a lot to carry. Alcohol and sun don't mix well; when you're feeling particularly hot and thirsty, remember that a cold beer will actually dehydrate you.
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Your Tip for Australia
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