Summer is a great time for potential fun for the whole family. But unfortunately, as too many hospitals nationwide are witness to, it’s also a haven for potential disaster vis-à-vis the safety element. Thus it is important to follow some basic rules to ensure you and your family have a great summer, and keep safe at the same time.
First, make sure you consume plenty of liquids, even when you are not thirsty. When you’re exercising, ensure to up your beverage intake to a further 3 glasses. Choose beverages that do not contain sugar or alcohol as this will simply result in further body fluid loss. As well, people often make the mistake of going for extremely cold drinks, but this is wrong as they can lead to stomach cramps. When you are outside, try to only be there during early morning and evening hours. Avoid dark color and tight-fitting attire and be especially careful with young children and the elderly as they are even more prone to overheating.
If you are struck with sunburn, be aware that the healing process takes a few days and that the best way to at least alleviate some of the pain is with a pain medication from the pharmacy and by keeping the area moisturized using an aloe based lotion. You can use cold compresses or try and relax in a cool bath too. But in general it’s always best to avoid this problem in the first place.
Josyann Abisaab works at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital as an MD in the Emergency Room.
