More important than ever to protect yourself
With the weather forecast looking very promising for this weekend, and the Wimbledon finals to look forward to, it’s more important than ever to protect yourself from the effects of sun and heat. West Middlesex Hospital have issued the following tips.
Here’s some helpful advice, which will ensure you have a fun time in the sun… It’s tempting to bake under the rays as soon as the sun makes a rare appearance but regular sunbathing can be ageing and lead to skin cancer.
You are also more at risk if you have fair colouring, have been badly sunburnt at any point in your life (particularly in childhood), regularly use sunbeds or have a family history of skin cancer.
Stay in the shade during the hottest part of the day (11am – 3pm) and use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.
Remember children’s skin is very delicate and they must be protected from the sun by being shaded, covered up and using sunscreen.
Heat
Hot temperatures can be very dangerous for the very young, the elderly or those with medical conditions.
Heatstroke is when the body overheats and can’t dispose of excess heat in the normal way. Symptoms include:
If you think someone is suffering from heatstroke you should:
Do not give them paracetamol or aspirin.
Stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm if you are vulnerable to the heat. Drink plenty of water or fruit juice to keep hydrated but avoid tea, coffee and alcohol. If it’s too hot to go out, stay in the coolest room of your house with the curtains or blinds closed.
If you know someone who may be vulnerable to the heat or is less able to look after themselves it’s a good idea to check in on them regularly during periods of hot weather just to make sure they’re ok.
Follow us on Twitter @WestMidHospital
July 5, 2013