Summer is here and so is the heat! We all love the sunshine but one of the primary concerns with the summer is sunburn. From vacations to outdoors parties, you can always find people out in the sun and chances are, some will be unprepared or unwilling to stay indoors for long. What do you do in situations like these where people are already out in the sun for a long time?

While summer vacations are packed full of fun and excitement, they can also be a source of stress and worry. There is nothing worse than working hard for a great vacation only to spend all of your time indoors and never being able to venture out and enjoy the world around you. If you’re going on a summer vacation this year, going on a day out somewhere, or just enjoying the hot weather, make sure you plan ahead and arm yourself with the right knowledge to have a great time without the worry.

Sun exposure not only causes sunburn but also can trigger sunstroke, heat exhaustion, skin cancer, sunstroke and dehydration. If you are not a sun user you may be unaware of the dangers of exposure to the sun.

Your skin is one of the largest organs of your body and it needs to be taken care of to maintain good health. Did you know that sunburn is one of the leading causes of death in teens? Sunburn is the most common skin illness that causes people to seek medical attention. It’s caused by intense exposure to sunlight. For best results you should stay out of the sun as long as possible. Protect yourself by using sunscreen and wear proper clothing, hat, sunglasses, sunglasses that block UV radiation.

The benefits of using sunglasses and sunscreen:

• Higher levels of vitamin D in the body when sunscreen is applied.
• Reduces the risk of skin cancers.
• Sunglasses can protect your eyes from UV radiation.
• Prevents sunburn.

If you do get affected by the heat, make sure to take breaks to rest and avoid sun exposure. Limit your sun exposure to one or two hours in the morning and an hour at midday. In the summer months, protect your skin from exposure by wearing a hat and splash the sunscreen on before you take a dip in the pool. It’s important to drink plenty of water and to rest as much as you can. Avoid alcohol and fizzy soda drinks as they only contribute to dehydration. For the more serious conditions like heat stroke and heat exhaustion consider these basic tips…

• While it is important to get treatment for the heat stroke, it is important to do a few things first. Most patients first suffer from shock, which causes pain. To treat someone in shock you must…

a. Lay the person down and elevate their legs. Unless you think it will cause them further pain and injury.

b. Keep the person still and don’t move them unless it’s absolutely necessary.

c. Follow the guidelines for CPR if the breathing has stopped.

d. Cover the person with a blanket to stop chilling. Make sure to loosen their clothing.

e. Don’t let them eat or drink anything if they are in shock.

f. If the person is bleeding, apply a towel or sheet over the area and hold it there.

g. If they vomit or start bleeding from the mouth, push them onto their side to prevent choking.

h. Call the emergency services.

• Patients should lie down and rest in a reclining position, in the shade, in a cool and well ventilated space until they feel better. This will help with circulation.

• Give water only if the person is able to drink and is thirsty, but in small doses. It should be water only and should not be too cold as this can cause stomach cramps.

• Those who feel the worst may need to rest for a few days. Once they recover, their symptoms may return.

• Treating heat exhaustion before it has a chance to start is vital.

• Avoid exercise until treatment has been completed and always follow the advice of the doctor.

Summer is always a time to be enjoyed, especially when the weather is nice and sunny. Being prepared and organised in hot weather is pinnacle to preventing any complications. Stay safe, stay healthy and have fun.