Doc warns bleachers about extreme weather But they say conditions help their skin

While some bleachers see the severe heat as a magical opportunity for their skin to ‘come’ faster, medical doctor Joshua Daye said the end result could be deadly.

Speaking with THE STAR yesterday, Daye said the excessive covering worn by those bleaching could lead to severe heatstroke and sunburn, resulting in sepsis, which can be deadly.

“Persons should not be bleaching from day one, but my advice is that they definitely stay out of the sun. The climate has changed a lot, so if they have to be out, they need to be wearing [sunscreen with an] SPF (sun protection factor) 30 and above and reapply every two to four hours,” he said.

Despite the warning, Kim*, a crab vendor, says the heat and the bleachers are best friends. Dressed in a pair of knee-length socks, long-sleeved body blouse, a windbreaker and a broad hat, she said her skin is boiling and shedding like a snake.

“Dem time here, we cream dem last longer because we body come faster (get lighter more rapidly). Sometimes it will take all a week and a half to see the difference, but now it can happen in less than three days because the sun come een like microwave. Every day we hear say bleaching dangerous, but mi never see or hear say it kill anyone yet. Gunman and cancer a kill people and other tings, not bleaching. Mi hydrated because every day mi buy and drink off a tall bottle a water,” Kim said.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness warns that prolonged heat exposure can lead to severe health issues. Warning signs of heat stress include, headaches and dizziness, lethargy and extreme tiredness, nausea, vomiting, or fainting, as well as altered mental state or confusion.

Like Kim, another bleacher told THE STAR that he is unbothered by the warnings of the medical experts.

“Once yuh cover up, you okay and because mi always a do it it nuh really affect mi much. The time hotter now yes, so what mi try to do is stay out the sun because it make mi face pitch patch and bun up. But at nights mi just put on little rose water and mi good. Mi is a man weh always a drink sumpn cool still, so mi nah go drop dung or nutten,” he said.

But Daye said skin bleaching could result in severe complications derived from heatstroke and sunburn.

“Dehydration is another issue and this can lead to electrolyte imbalance which could cause kidney failure. This climate change and the heat can accelerate the development of melanoma and other types of skin cancers. Bleaching in this heat can definitely lead to hospitalisation,” he said.

Daye advised bleachers to stay hydrated, keep away from the sugary drinks and remove the gloves, heavy clothing and the plastic wrap.

“Just imagine plastic against your skin in this kind of heat. That is igniting or boiling your skin. Bleaching overall is bad for the skin, but if they think they should do it, just be careful and stay away from the sun,” Daye added.