A Lighter View
Feeling the burn
By K.E.H. Stagg

June 2, 2016

  Taking advantage of the onset of summer weather over the holiday weekend meant hanging out in a local pool with my granddaughter.  Portions of my torso that haven't seen the sun since Labor Day of last year were slathered in three inch thick layers of SPF50.  Although the bottle claims the product is water-resistant for 80 minutes, I faithfully reapplied sunblock every half hour for the four-hour duration that we splashed our way through the 93-plus-degree afternoon.

At the end of our 240 minute foray, I discovered patches that the sunblock either missed or wore through. The bulges of pink flesh oozing over the sides of my bathing suit were not only hideous to behold, they were painful to the touch. My granddaughter observed, "You got sunburn."

Yes, Virginia, I did. I immediately started slathering on layers of aloe vera gel infused with lidocaine to counteract the effects, but I was far too late. By nightfall, I couldn't stand even the touch of a bedsheet against my armpits. The next morning in a frenzy of atonement, I rushed out to purchase double sun protection factor, figuring if it's good for babies, it has to be good for my poor underarms.

Armed with four jars of SPF100, a floppy brimmed hat, and protective lip balm, I should be safe for the rest of the summer - once my hairline and nostrils quit peeling.  I'll tell you one thing: I have renewed sympathy for people who survive house fires.  How they survive burns covering large areas of skin is nothing short of miraculous!