For those living with albinism, summer can feel like a whole different level of challenge. Intense heat and sun exposure? Not a vibe! Sunscreen, long sleeves, and shades? They help, but they’re not always enough. Extra caution is essential to protect the skin from sun damage and the risk of skin cancer.
While many might not fully understand the impact of the extreme sun on their skin, even if they’re not living with albinism, the story is different for those who do. For them, it’s not just about coping – it’s a constant battle, requiring extra vigilance and care.
Fighting skin cancer
For Lebohang Machedi from Jozana in Sterkspruit, Eastern Cape, childhood was all about playing and having fun. She couldn’t understand why she was told to be extra careful.
“I was an active child, and my parents would warn me against swimming or being in the sun for too long. I didn’t care, I didn’t get why I had to follow these rules when other kids could do everything without restrictions.”
Years passed, but in 2012, her world changed dramatically. What started as healthy skin turned into a painful reality; skin cancer took a part of her body.
“I was on treatment for five full years. It wasn’t until 2016 that I could finally rest because every time they would treat it, cancer developed elsewhere.”
Lebohang Machedi
She adds, “Now I have scars, not from an accident, but from skin cancer. Surgeons had to cut and patch me up.”
Machedi tells Health For Mzansi that living in a village with limited job opportunities also puts extra pressure on people with albinism, as their lifestyle demands special care.
“Most of the time, we don’t have access to sunscreen from local clinics. The little we get, we buy with our grant money, which is mentally and financially exhausting.”
She uses a specific cream to bath and applies sunscreen every three hours, daily. She notes that her skin becomes hard and cracks when she uses regular soap.
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Keeping cool
“The key is to make sure we wear layers that cover our skin,” says Mawande Cingo from Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape.
He explains that while he doesn’t check the sunscreen’s UV numbers, he ensures he always has enough, reapplying before it runs out. If he doesn’t, his skin becomes red and cracks, which can lead to skin cancer.
“Even on humid days, I keep a long-sleeve garment with me, just in case the weather changes.”
Mawande Cingo
“When it is sunny, I make sure I cover my head with a cap, as well as wear spectacles.”
Cingo further notes that even with his cover layers, he makes sure not to be exposed to the sun for too long, opting to stay in the shade instead.
He also avoids wearing black and navy colours when it’s sunny, as they attract more heat. Instead, he opts for bright colours to help cool his skin. He adds that the sun’s rays also affect his eyes, making it hard for him to see, and covering them with spectacles provides relief.
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Sun safety challenges
According to Dr Mamello Ntsele, a specialist dermatologist from Hillcrest in KwaZulu-Natal, people living with albinism have a genetic condition that results in a lack of melanocytes. Melanocytes are responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that provides natural sun protection.
“Lack of melanocytes predisposes persons living with albinism to sensitivity to the sun, leading to skin problems such as sunburn, accelerated skin ageing, and a higher risk of cancer,” Ntsele explains.
“They also have visual problems due to lack of melanocytes in the eyes.”
She notes that accumulative sun damage results in DNA damage, which ultimately leads to skin cancer. Therefore, preventing unprotected sun exposure is essential from an early age.
“It is recommended that sunscreen should be used from as early as six months of age.”
Dr Mamello Ntsele
Ntsele says sun damage can manifest as:
- Redness and blisters from acute sunburn.
- Long-term effects, including thickening of the skin and wrinkles.
- Sunspots or lentigines are brownish spots on sun-exposed skin.
- Rough patches or crusts on sun-exposed areas are known as solar keratoses (these need to be treated as they are precancerous skin lesions).
Preventing sun damage
Ntsele says sunscreens with broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB, with an SPF of 50 and above, are ideal for people living with albinism.
She says protective sunglasses are important in preventing cancer around the eyes, and long-sleeved clothing in colours that deflect sun rays is also recommended.
Avoidance of unnecessary sun exposure by seeking shade and being outside in the late afternoon when possible.
“People think that if the sun is not out or in the winter months there’s no need to use sunscreen. Sunscreen should be used every day and should be repeated every 2-3 hours, and this applies to all persons.”
People living with albinism are advised to use wide-brimmed hats and umbrellas to protect against the sun, she adds.
