extreme thirst (dry mouth or sticky saliva).If you develop any of the following symptoms, move to a cool place and drink plenty of water right away: If you’re on the go, have plenty of water or cold drinks on-hand.Fans and ceiling fans work as well, but only in lower humidity. If you have air conditioning, make sure it is working properly.Here are a few additional tips to follow (Source: Health Canada): It’s important to remember that thirst is a poor indicator of dehydration, so the more water you consume, the better off you’ll be. There are two basic rules to follow to mitigate the risk of heat illness – drink plenty of water before you get thirsty and stay cool. Some of the main forms of heat illness include: heat edema (swelling of hands, feet, and ankles), heat rash, heat cramps (muscle cramps), heat fainting, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. We can cool our body temperature through contact with cold air and by producing sweat, which evaporates and cools us down. Hot air, heat from the sun and hot surfaces can all increase body temperature to dangerous levels. Heat stroke typically sets in when your body temperature climbs to 40 C or above. Aloe gel can be used.Īll of us are susceptible to the impact of extreme heat, although seniors, children and people with underlying health conditions are most at-risk of severe complications from prolonged exposure to high temperatures. When treating a sunburn, avoid creams or lotions that may hold heat inside the skin or may contain numbing medication (i.e.Tree-shaded areas are typically 5 to 9 degrees cooler than direct sunlight. If you or your child receives a sunburn, you should immediately remove the person from the sun.Never leave children (or your pets) in a parked vehicle. Keep babies in the shade, under a tree, an umbrella, or a canopy.Keep babies under one year of age out of direct sunlight to prevent skin damage and dehydration.to 2 p.m., so try to limit your exposure when the sun is most intense. The sun’s UVB rays (the radiation that causes most sunburns) is most prominent from around 11 a.m.Also consider trying a sunscreen lip balm as well. Remember to apply sunscreen in those easy-to-forget areas, like your ears, nose, neck, back and the tops of your feet.Use a water-resistant sunscreen and remember to re-apply more frequently if you’re swimming, drying yourself off with a towel or sweating heavily.Here are a few more tips to keep you and your child sun safe this season (Source: Health Canada, Canadian Cancer Society): Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and loose-fitting, lightweight clothing and a pair of sunglasses equipped with UVA and AVB protection are all good precautions to take as well. Your best defence against the sun is to apply a quality, broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or more 15 minutes before going outside and re-applying at regular intervals throughout the day. Overexposure to the sun as a child can also lead to the development of skin cancer later in life. It’s also important to remember that skin cancer is – by far the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in our country, about one in every three cancer diagnoses, and rates are continuing to rise steadily every year. It can be easily accessed on any weather service website and the general rule of thumb is the higher the number, the higher the risk. The UV Index is a helpful tool to protect yourself from the sun. While it’s important for everyone to take the necessary precautions whenever heading outside for some fun in the sun, it’s especially critical for children.īabies are most susceptible to the risks of exposure to the sun, not just because of their sensitive skin but also because they can’t tell you if they’re too hot or if the sun is too bright.ĭepending on the time of day, conditions and the level of ultraviolet radiation – or UV rays – it only takes 15 minutes or so to develop a sunburn.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |