We all love a bit of fun and games in the summer. Nothing like being outside, seeing only the blue skies above you and the green grass beneath your feet. Unfortunately for us, however, being worn out isn’t the only risk we take when we spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer! Here are ten common problems we face, both abroad and at home in rainy Britain, and some things we can do to avoid them.
1. Sunburn. We all know that if we spend too long in the sun, we get sunburnt. But when we’re having fun, it’s often difficult to remember to keep putting on sun cream every few hours. The trouble is, it often doesn’t look like you’re burning, so you don’t think you need any more. Unfortunately, sunburn only becomes noticeable after coming out of the sun for a bit, so you really need to keep applying sun cream over SPF 15 every few hours. Even if it says it’s waterproof, put it on after swimming, as the cream will actually wash off quite easily.
2. Insect bites and bee stings, ticks. These are a pain! In order to repel insects, use insect repellent spray/wipes, avoid bright clothing, and keep food and drink covered. If an insect lands on you, stay still and don’t swat it, as this will only annoy it. Instead, blow on it softly, and it should fly away. If you do get bitten, put on an antihistamine cream to reduce the swelling. Although most insect bites in the UK do very little damage, watch out for mosquito bites, and tick bites especially, as these can cause long-lasting damage. Check the NHS website for advice.
3. Dehydration. It’s obvious that because our bodies are mostly made from water, we need to keep drinking to replenish those levels, especially on hot days where our water levels decrease more rapidly from sweat. Fizzy drinks won’t do the trick as well as plain water, though, so make sure you drink plenty of boring old water.
4. Sunstroke. If you spend too long in the sun, it’s not only bad for your skin, but also for your body temperature and general wellbeing. If you’ve been abroad in Europe, you’ll notice many countries have “siestas” during the middle of the day, where shops are closed and people are home from work. This isn’t because they’re lazy, it’s because they’re spending time indoors to keep away from the sun, and refuel for the evening’s work ahead of them. So between about 10AM and 4PM try to avoid direct sunlight, and get plenty of shade.
5. Stinging nettles. These annoying plants will crop up absolutely anywhere. Though the sting isn’t the worst thing in the world, a sting can still be painful for a few hours. If you know what a stinging nettle looks like, or you see a bush that could have stinging nettles inside, then avoid it. However, if you are stung the best thing you can do is wash the affected area with soap and water to remove nettle hairs that may still be around. After that, you can apply an antihistamine if you like.
There’s lots to say on the matter, so more helpful advice in part 2!
Image from: http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/815057/7-summer-maladies-and-ways-to-prevent-them-1
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