Black absorbs more heat, but ‘rangi ya thao’ chicks are more likely to get skin cancer

 Photo:Courtesy

The Kenya Meteorological Department has refuted claims that the country is experiencing a heatwave. They however agree that temperatures have skyrocketed “and that is normal,” at least that is according to one of their officers who was quoted saying as much awhile back.

It is hot in Nairobi. It has been for the past few weeks. I know so because how else can I explain waking up in the dead of the night to take a cold shower! Also, a friend fainted in downtown Nairobi. His explanation: “I was walking. I woke up on a bench in some office. Dude, I think destiny is telling me something!” It is hot!

The high temperatures are causing concerns in some quarters. Someone asked if they should be worried about their dark skin because the absorb more heat. In physics, dark surfaces absorb heat faster and shiny surfaces reflect it. There is no need to worry however, assures Dr Eliud Monda, a dermatologist with International Skin and Medical Clinic. Dr Monda says that heat does not quite mimic the reflective and absorptive properties of light.

“I expect the high temperatures to affect people of all races and complexions. There may be slight differences, but we are all exposed to the same consequences,” he says.

According to Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the effects of elevated temperatures – or heatwave as it is called in some countries – should not be downplayed.

Last year, an estimated 2,330 deaths in India were directly linked to a heatwave, temperatures were as high as 48 degrees  Celsius in May. 

In Kenya, temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius have been reported, even though the met department, according to media reports, claims there’s no need to worry. After all, they say, some parts of Kenya experience the same conditions every year, hence nothing is “out of the ordinary.”

You should be worried though. Heat exhaustion is not a joke. Symptoms include dizziness and headache, dehydration and fainting. In extreme cases, people die of heatstroke. In the early stages, heatstroke patients will show signs of confusion and exasperation when temperatures rise above 39?Celsius, according to CDC.

Melanin, the pigment that’s responsible for human skin colour, is produced by special cells called melanocytes. Now, while dark surfaces absorb heat, according to Dr Monda, the darker you are the better. More melanin means darker skin. Melanin primarily protects the skin against sun damage. Longer exposure to the sun has been linked to skin cancer. Melanin protects the skin from developing skin cancer. The sun carries dangerous ultraviolet radiation. Possessing lots of melanin (being black and darker) increases one’s ability to withstand effects of this dangerous radiation.

In the meantime, as long as temperatures remain high, try to stay in a shade. It may save you the heat stroke