Dr C’s check-up:

We can take multiple trips out, go to garden centres and meet one person outside at a safe distance, so Dr C says we need to protect our skin

“Get outside for your health but do it safely”

Idon’t agree that there’s no such thing as a safe tan, because the sun is our best source of vitamin D, and as a nation we’re very deficient. That’s particularly important now, as researchers have shown that those with a vitamin D deficiency are twice as likely to die from coronavirus. They found a strong correlation between vitamin D deficiency and the huge and dangerous overreaction of the immune system to COVID-19, called a cytokine storm. It is particularly important for minority ethnic groups, too, as they often have poorer absorption of vitamin D, and are more likely to end up in intensive care with the virus.

TOP UP VITAMIN D

We need some sun on our skin – especially as we’ve all been staying in our homes for most of the spring. The sun is the best source, but that doesn’t mean getting burnt. To make vitamin D, you need sun on your face, arms and legs without SPF for around 15 minutes a day – or up until the point where you would burn – so it would be less for fair-skinned people with freckles or red hair.

The advice can feel confusing – but basically you don’t need very long in the sun to make good vitamin D. If you’re popping to the shops, you will get yours. It’s accumulative, too, so if you pop out for five minutes, that’s still good – it’s not the case that because it wasn’t 15 minutes you won’t have got any.

PICK THE RIGHT CREAMS

Having been indoors for weeks, we’ll be more susceptible to burning – even on muggy, overcast days, so use SPF30, with at least four-star UVA protection. There’s all kinds of nonsense on the bottles, but that’s all you need to look for, and own brand is fine, too. You need two teaspoons just for your head, arms and neck, and two tablespoons for your entire body while wearing a swimsuit – and apply it 30 minutes before heading out. Don’t forget to reapply every couple of hours, too. Set a reminder on your phone, and seek shade in the hottest part of the day, between 11am and 3pm.

DON’T MISS A SPOT

A lot of people who usually exercise indoors are running, cycling and walking outside to stay fit. Apply sunscreen before heading out. People are usually good at smearing cream on their arms and legs, but often forget their ears, the tops of their heads and the back of the neck. If you have sports sunglasses, wear them, or if when you sweat the sun cream runs into your eyes and that puts you off, try wearing a cap.

PROTECT KIDS

Children will be outside more, but your cancer risk as an adult is mainly laid down as a child, so it’s crucial that parents protect their kids’ skin – including on cloudy days – with at least SPF30. Just one episode of blistering sunburn, especially in childhood, doubles the lifetime risk of malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.

Water reflects the sun, too, so if your child is in a paddling pool, they need to wear sunglasses, a hat, and a suit that covers them well – and they need to be in the shade between 11am and 3pm.

CHECK ON GRANNY

As you get older, you lose the ability to regulate your body temperature, and don’t notice so easily that you’re too hot. Elderly people need to seek shade and stay hydrated, because dehydration can be serious. Sunstroke or heat exhaustion are also a big worry, and they have nothing to do with SPF – they’re caused by the heat on your head building up so much that your body can’t cool you down. Again, older

people are at risk as they won’t be aware they’re overheating. It can kick in later and cause confusion and unsteadiness, and can be prevented by seeking plenty of shade.

SOOTHE BURNT SKIN

If you burn, aftersun, camomile lotion and aloe vera will all soothe, but nothing will correct the damage – it’s more about relieving pain. Antihistamine can help the inflammation, and a cool shower will feel nice, but you’ve killed the skin, so you can moisturise, but nothing will stop the peeling.

From a psychological and a medical point of view, the benefits of some sun far outweigh the risks – just be safe.