When I was a kid occasionally I was teased about my dark summer tan. The neighborhood carpooled to the Versailles pool nearly every day but my mother wouldn’t allow me to use tanning lotion, like the other kids, because my skin, although dark, was not thick enough for jeers.

For the record I never knew the kids that liked to tease, nor is that relevant to my writing. The point is that I never needed to worry about getting sunburned. My body usually produced enough melatonin to protect me from burning or peeling.

Over the years, as a result of my job, I began to spend less time outdoors. Consequently my skin became less conditioned for the sun. Occasionally I would wear a tanning lotion with SPF4, which seemed a plenty. Throughout the years I’ve listened to weather newscasters and medical professionals advice the public on the importance of sunscreen, sunblock, the harmful UV (ultraviolet radiation) and the threat of skin cancer. Today there is SPF50 and SPF100 sunscreen, which means I can stay out in the sun up to 50 or 100 times longer with the lotion than without skin protection. Seriously, is that really necessary for anyone? Mathematically speaking, a person would use SPF100 because they would burn within 4-5 minutes of sun exposure without the sunscreen protection (8 hrs. = 480 minutes / 100 = 4.8 minutes).

The reason I’m addressing this issue is because recently, while in sunny Cancun, I used a SPF8 tanning lotion (since SPF4 is obscure) and broke out in a red, itchy heat rash. A few people diagnosed me with sun poisoning so I made sure I wore sunscreen for the remainder of my vacation. Finally I decided it had to be the sunscreen. You see I hadn’t worn any lotion for the first three days of my vacation but on day 4 I thought I was responsibly protecting my skin. Ironically the sunscreen had an adverse effect. It was responsible for my allergic reaction, which dampen my vacation and halted my vitamin D absorption.

After some research on the matter I now would like to alert consumers of the dangers of common ingredients found in sunscreens with SPF (skin protection factor). Homosalate is a UV-absorbing sunscreen ingredient which absorbs and accumulates in the body fast, becomes toxic and disrupts hormones. Octinoxate similarly absorbs quickly into the skin and is used to help other ingredients to be absorbed. It produces free radicals that can damage the skin, cells and disrupt hormones. Octocrylene absorbs the UV rays and produces oxygen radicals that can damage cells and cause mutations. Retinyl Palmitate is a combination of vitamin A and palmitic acid and sounds good, but FDA studies have shown it may speed the development of malignant cells and skin tumors. Finally Paraben Preservatives (the one that caused my allergic reaction) has been associated with hormonal disruption, reproductive toxicity and may contribute to breast cancer.

In addition to the possible harm done to the wearer of these lotion ingredients the chemicals may also be toxic to the environment when wearers make contact with water. It’s sad to know now what we didn’t know then. In recent years sunshine has been demonized when it is actually beneficial to the body. So many mothers lathered their children up with these lotions to protect their children, but instead these children may have toxins built up in their bodies.

Years ago farmers wore hats, long pants and sleeves to shield themselves from the harsh sun rays, which were harshest after lunch. Do you think the media and doctors will try to educate us on moderation and to take a lesson from nature? Animals find shade when the sun is extreme surely we could also find shade or wear a cover up to avoid the damaging UV rays. Perhaps the real concern is that the body absorbs what is put on our skin.

Adequate vitamin D intake is important for the regulation of calcium and phosphorus absorption, maintenance of healthy bones and teeth, and is suggested to supply a protective effect against multiple diseases and conditions such as cancer, type 1 diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease and multiple sclerosis.

Upcoming events:

Daylight Savings time begins Sunday morning, March 13 at 2 am. Set your clocks forward Saturday night before retiring so you don’t miss these Sunday events…

Sunday, March 13, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Willowdell holds their annual Pancake and Sausage Dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the church basement. This will benefit Dave Zumberger.

Also Sunday, the Versailles American Legion will be selling (range fed) chicken dinners from 4 – 6 p.m. at the Vets Club. Eat in or carry out.

Happy birthday to Jeanne Miller, Kelly Trump, Ted Schmitmeyer, Jim Groff, Carol Mescher, Kaleb Petitjean, Skyler Clune, Corbin Johns, Gary Kunk, Jr., Randy Grilliot, Arlene Barton, Craig Vogel, Pat Bergman, Sandy Finkus, Brittany Lecker, Donna Gorrell, Wanda Bailey, Carol Williams, Amanda Reed, Pat Gigandet, Rita Monnin, Craig Francis, Jim Seman, Peggy Borgerding, Katie Borchers, and Diane Yakos. Happy anniversary wishes to Katie & Jim Knapke, and Janice & Urban Tebbe.

Healing prayers and get well wishes for Sam Yagle, Freda Banks, Dave Zumberger, Lois Youngker, Brian Voisard, Megan Knapke, Lester Bernholt, Linda Wilson (surgery), Joan Butler, Cyril Frantz, Norma Magoto, Marvin Godwin, Dave Francis, Ann Paulus Pedersen, Joe Bailey, Harry Gorrell, Chick Conley, Julia Billenstein, Dan Bertke, Dan Monnin, Bob Longenecker, John Davis, Carl Drees, Dave Magoto, Bob Homan, Eileen Rahm, Merilyn Borchers, Yvonne Ridenour, Cyril Voisard, Wayne Pittsenbarger, Jim Youngker, Isabella Yakos, Barb and Jon Agne, Samantha Smith, Michelle Ullom, Jack Borgerding, the hospitalized, homebound and all those dealing with any of life’s many challenges who are in need of our prayers but not mentioned by name. Thanks to the prayer-medics, caregivers, volunteers, medical staff, those that visit and those who offer support.

Sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Eddie Zimmerman (52), Jonathan Schutz (63), Robert Hoying (91), Leonard Peltier (97), and Orville Borchers (97, also remembering the lives of James Williams also remembering the lives of Doris Harman, Tony Cordonnier, Ellen Peters, Joan Voisard, Suzanne Elifritz, Clarence Poeppelman, Alma Gehret, Isabella Crotcher, Bernard McEldowney, Mary Cordonnier, Ruth Huddle, Ellery Mangen, Ralph Runner, Kathleen Monnin, Pat Wuebker, Laoma Hixson, Jim Roll, Clarence “Pete” Schulze and all those in our hearts, but not mentioned by name, as the anniversary of their passing nears.

“There is nothing more uncommon than common sense.”

“Much of today’s medical progress seems to be reversed a generation later.” ~C. Edwards