Perry Memorial Hospital issued the following announcement on July 23.
Fun in the hot sun or the cool shade?
Do you love the heat of summer? Or are you like me and prefer low 80’s temps? Do you hydrate yourself constantly when you are in the sun? Or do you have your usually morning drink and not worry about fluids, because your body will balance it out? Do you crave the feeling of sunshine on your skin? Or do you seek out shade wherever you go? These are the questions I hear people discuss as summer heats up. I know there are two sides to every conversation, so I wanted to share some safety tips about each of these.
What is your tolerance to heat?
Summer temperatures in our area range from low 60’s at night to upper 90’s in the afternoon, which can be too hot to handle for some people. Tolerance to high temps is an individual physical characteristic, not something we chose to be able to handle. Several factors affect how your body handles the heat. If you usually spend most of your day in air conditioning, then your body is less tolerant to being outdoors in high heat. Likewise, if you are used to working outdoors then air conditioning can be chilling to you. If you are well-hydrated, you will be able to tolerate high heat longer than if you are not drinking frequently while outside. If you have had heat stroke or heat exhaustion, you are more likely to experience the same diagnosis, with symptoms developing quicker than if you hadn’t ever had the condition before.
Prepare yourself for hot temperatures
Here are my tips for you in hot weather:
- Drink at least ten 8 oz. glasses of water/day and add in a bottle of reduced sugar sports drink, such as G2 or Powerade Zero
- Avoid drinks which are high in caffeine, such as tea and coffee
- Avoid carbonated beverages, as they increase dehydration
- Find shade to sit or stand in whenever possible
- Wear ice packs around your abdomen if you must be in the high heat for extended periods
- Pack a cooler with ice and drinks so you can replace the fluid you are sweating out with cold drinks
Sunshine is a cheery warmth which is uplifting for our mental health. When we have a stretch of cloudy days, we tend to feel more down in the dumps. You are not the only person who experiences this reaction to the lack of sun. Experiments have shown a physical response with less endorphins, or happy chemicals, released within the body, when a person is kept in darkened rooms without exposure to the sun for several days. For many years, my office didn’t have windows, so I purchased a sun lamp which I used in my office to mimic the sun and improve my outlook on things. Now I have a new office and I have windows. The difference is amazing in how much better I feel when I can enjoy the sunshine even if only through a window.
Don't forget to protect your skin
Sunshine also has a darker side, pardon the pun. Our skin can be easily damaged from sun exposure. Some of the damage, or dryness can be managed with applying lotion. Sunburns cause pain and irritation which can also result in the outer layer of skin peeling off due to blisters. This can be managed with aloe vera lotions and gels to cool the burn and moisten the skin. Other damage from the sun can cause skin cancer. There are three major categories of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma (the most common); squamous cell carcinoma (second most common); and melanoma (less common) which is the most dangerous. Mark your calendar as a monthly reminder, to perform a skin check for any new growths, such as sores which aren’t healing or moles which change in size or color. If you notice any change, contact your healthcare provider for a skin check to determine abnormal vs. normal changes. You may also ask your spouse, close friend or relative to help you check areas you cannot see so you don’t miss something. You may feel awkward at first, and you may be surprised to hear they too need someone to help check their skin. Ignoring growths or changes on your skin may lead to the spread of cancer and require more involved treatments to manage the cancer. Early detection is the best action you can take.
Here are my tips for skin protection when you are in the sun:
- Avoid sun exposure during the peak hours of 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Wear broad spectrum sunscreen with a SPF rating of 15 or higher
- If you have already had a diagnosis of skin cancer, a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher is recommended or wear protective clothing, such as long sleeve shirts and pants
- Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, or more often if you’re sweating or swimming
- Sunscreens are not recommended for infants; ask your healthcare provider before applying sunscreen to a child under 6 months of age
- Read drug facts labeling before applying sunscreen to a child over 6 months of age; some products are not approved for use by children
- Do NOT use sunscreen that has expired or was purchased more than 3 years ago.
Stay safe while soaking in the qualities of the sun our bodies need. Don’t forget to hydrate and rehydrate with water and sports drinks without the added sugars. Don’t forget to apply and reapply sunscreen, as directed on their label. Don’t forget to have fun! I would be remiss if I didn’t remind you to wear your mask and wash your hands, even while having fun in the sun. We are not in the clear with COVID yet. Safety first!
Original source can be found here.
Source: Perry Memorial Hospital
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