Sunburn in the Shade?

[Pete Vecchi]

We went to the Dayton Dragons baseball game today. It was a mostly sunny day, with temperatures around 90 degrees (F). Our seats were down the first base line, and they were in the shade the entire game (although about 2 rows in front of us there was sun). We did not leave the area of our seats for the approximately 3 hours of the game. We had about a 3-4 minute walk from the car to the park before the game, and a 3-4 minute walk back to the car after the game; there was sun shining on us during part of each of those walks (although we also had shade during those walks, too).

My wife was wearing shorts, and when we got home, she found that the tops of her legs were mildly sunburned (and it was NOT wind burn, as there was very little wind throughout the game).

Has anyone ever heard of someone getting sunburn while sitting in the shade?

I tried looking this up on line, and really didn't find any answers.

[Gina Stevenson]

Looks like here are quite a few instances where sun reflecting off things can affect those in the shade:

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient...w=1024&bih=325

[Pete Vecchi]

Looks like here are quite a few instances where sun reflecting off things can affect those in the shade:

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient...w=1024&bih=325

I had already tried looking up info in that manner, and there was nothing really definitive in there; some say yes, some say no, but nothing showing much of anything but hearsay.

[Gina Stevenson]

Oh, sorry. Did not read them after finding them. Just was thinking it may have been in the asking.

BUT THEN ... Should have known that anyone who seems as analytical as you, Pete, would have already exhausted the search possibilities!

[Dana Grant]

It's not that unusual in AZ.....of course, even our SHADE is somewhat sunny!!! ha ha You should ALWAYS wear sunscreen outdoors -- shade or sun.

[Steven Burton]

Yup they talk about it ever summer down in Texas.

[Alisa Stoll]

When my son was an infant, his baby-sitter took him to her pool and put him in the shade. The water reflected the sun and he got a very bad sunburn. Fortunately an infant is rapidly growing cells anyway so he healed quickly. She felt really bad. So at least I can give you first hand experience.

Alisa