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Published by The Vampire Network on the 22nd of February 2017Sun Sick: Effects of Sunlight Exposure
The vampire’s intolerance of sunlight is legendary and often a common trend between all types. New and old literature and folklore describes absolute and fatal sunlight intolerance; vampires catch fire and burn to ashes within minutes of exposure to sunlight (1, 2). Whereas more recent accounts, fictional and non-fictional, speak of moderate to serious sensitivity to sunlight, characterized by daytime paralysis or sluggishness, lethargy and reduced mental capacity, and various degrees of bodily damage (3, 4, 5) rather than outright intolerance.
It is possible that vampires have evolved over time to be able to tolerate a certain amount of sunlight. It is also possible that only extreme reactions were recorded in history and literature, as such things often are, while those vampires with moderate, and thus, less noticeable reactions passed undetected. Whichever the case, as in the past so today, it is commonly agreed upon that sunlight can be physically and mentally damaging to vampires, and, for many, is not just a lifestyle or aesthetic preference.
Common symptoms experienced by vampires upon exposure to sunlight include:
- Migraine headache
- Dizziness, vertigo
- Nausea
- “Heaviness” (feeling of general and oppressive sluggishness, of one’s head and limbs being too heavy to move or even stand up)
- Lethargy, sleepiness
- Decreased visual acuity (faded/”washed-out” colors, blurry vision, loss of contrast and detail, decreased depth perception)
- Eye pain (described as “like being stabbed in the eye” and/or burning), excessive tearing and redness
- Skin pain with or without visible sunburn (generally described as a very severe burn)
- Feeling very cold/chills despite the heat
- Psychological abnormalities: lack of enthusiasm/initiative, depression, anxiety
- Disorientation, inability to think clearly (“brain fog”)
- Loss of consciousness (“passing out”)
Harmful effects of the Sun’s UV radiation:
Modern science and medicine have discerned various ways in which sunlight, specifically the Sun’s UVA/UVB radiation is harmful to all human beings. Below is a list of those with most significant and wide-spread impact.
Skin: Sunburn is the visible effect of UV radiation’s destruction of cells of the skin. The skin has a high regeneration potential, since skin cells proliferate for the duration of human life; however, the damage is not without long-term consequences. Like all radiation, UV radiation is a potent mutagen, i.e. it induces cancer-causing genetic mutations. It is well-known that exposure to sunlight (real or artificial) is the number one cause of skin cancer (90% of melanoma is thought to be caused by UV radiation) (7). Less deadly, UV rays are also a very potent factor in aging of the skin. They destroy the extracellular matrix components which give the skin its elasticity, especially collagen, which leads to wrinkles and “sagging” and “leathery” skin (8). Consequently, all “age-defying” skin products contain SPF 30 sunblock and/or proprietary synthetic collagen or substances which allegedly promote its synthesis.
Eyes: Prolonged exposure to UV or high intensity UV radiation damages the tissues of eyes and can burn the eye surface called resulting in photokeratitis (“snow blindness”). The effects usually disappear within a couple of days; however, repeated exposure can result in a condition called pterygium, known as “surfer’s eye”. This is a growth on the cornea and the conjunctiva which can interfere with vision. Pterygia become red and swollen on occasion, which is painful, and some may become large or thick, making one feel like there is something in the eye. If a pterygium is large enough, it can affect the shape of the cornea’s surface, leading to astigmatism (9).
Immune system: Excessive UVB exposure interferes with the normal functioning of immune systems in animals and human beings. Relatively low doses of UVB compromise the immune defenses of the skin, thus limiting the skin's response to local attacks and allowing for skin infections and localized skin cancer lesions. Higher doses of UVB lower an individual's overall immune response, thus increasing the risk of the incidence and severity of infectious disease and malignant melanoma, and diminishing efficacy of vaccinations (10). The exact mechanisms by which UVB radiation impairs the immune system are still being investigated, but part of the problem involves redistribution and malfunction of antigen-presenting cells. This prevents helper T-cells from “learning” to recognize foreign antigens, which in turn, incapacitates the entire acquired immune system, i.e. the B- and cytotoxic and memory T-cell-mediated immunity and B-cell-mediated antibody production (11).
Recommendations:
- Avoid sun exposure.
- Limit sun exposure.
- Book your flights, meetings, and any other activities very early in the morning or late in the afternoon, so you can either arrive or leave in the dark.
- Schedule outdoor activities carefully so that they always occur where there is ample shade or indoors.
- Wear protective clothing: light-colored clothing reflects heat, dark colors absorb it.
- Invest in wide-brim hats and dark sunglasses (peripheral vision coverage is best)
- Liberally apply SPF 30 sunblock on exposed skin. SPF >30 does not provide more protection.
- Invest in an umbrella or a parasol. Although you might have to explain using it on sunny days, it's not an uncommon practice for migraine sufferers or those who avoid the sun for other reasons.
- If driving during daylight hours, make sure your fuel tank is full and the car is in good working order. A broken down car on a sunny stretch of road in the middle of nowhere can be dangerous.
- Keep a change of sun-protective clothing, aloe vera, large hat and/or an umbrella, sunglasses, and other supplies in the car at all times.
- Be aware of your own levels of sun tolerance and the symptoms of a crisis situation. For instance if you are outside and start to feel dizzy and cold in the heat, those are symptoms that could precipitate blacking out.
- Aloe Vera plant gel and will soothe sunburn if present but not relieve internal symptoms (headache, eye pain/diminished vision, nausea, dizziness) To treat those, rest in a completely dark place, hydrate adequately with water and blood (if you consume) and avoid even limited sunlight exposure if possible.
- Educate at least one close friend or family member about your condition for help in the case of an emergency.
Please note: Insufficient exposure to UVB radiation results in vitamin D insufficiency, which has been correlated to certain forms of autoimmune disease (although none which are common among vampires in our studies), cancer and cardiovascular disease in humans (12). Since vitamin D is also critical for calcium absorption and maintenance of bone density, we recommend that everyone with reduced vitamin D levels take vitamin D supplements, OCT (D3 2,000 UI/day unless otherwise instructed by your doctor) or prescription in pill form or injectable, as directed. This page provides excellent information regarding vitamin D deficiency - https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
References:
- “Nosferatu”, 1922, directed by F. M. Murnau, Prana Film., Weimar Republic (Germany).
- “Interview with the Vampire”, Anne Rice, 1976, Knopf., USA.
- “Dracula”, Bram Stoker, 1987, Archibald Constable and Co., UK.
- “The Modern Vampire: A Guide for Survival”, Sebastian Condado de Haza. 2008, Lulu.com., USA.
- “Penny Dreadful”, directed by John Logan, 2014-2016, Sky/Showtime, UK/USA.
- “Fevre Dream”, George R. R. Martin, 1982, Poseidon Press., USA.
- http://enhs.umn.edu/current/5103/uv/harmful.html
- http://sciencelearn.org.nz/Contexts/You-Me-and-UV/Science-Ideas-and-(...)
- https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/pinguecula-pterygium
- http://www.ciesin.org/TG/HH/ozimmun.html
- Simon JC, Krutmann J, Elmets CA, Bergstresser PR, Cruz PD Jr. Ultraviolet B-irradiated antigen-presenting cells display altered accessory signaling for T-cell activation: relevance to immune responses initiated in skin. J Invest Dermatol. 1992;98:66S-69S.
- Hart PH, Gorman S. Exposure to UV Wavelengths in Sunlight Suppresses Immunity. To What Extent is UV-induced Vitamin D3 the Mediator Responsible? Clin Biochem Rev. 2013;34: 3–13.
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