By Elizabeth Quinteros
As the summer months are approaching and the temperature from cold to hot rapidly changes, something that people tend to forget is staying safe while being under the sun. Wanting to go for a swim or taking a hike, warm temperatures can affect our ability to do these activities. The warm temperatures can worsen respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and diabetes-related diseases in extreme cases or even cause skin cancer.
Some of the more common risks that people take when not being protected against the sun:
Heat cramps
Heat exhaustion
Heatstroke
Sunburn
Dehydration
Blisters
Tanning
Eye damage
So how can you keep yourself safe? The CDC recommends drinking plenty of water to avoid getting dehydrated that potentially leads to fainting, heat exhaustion, etc. As well as wearing light clothes that are loose. Consider wearing long-sleeved thin shirts when out in the sun for long periods of time like playing sports or going kayaking. Wearing light colored clothing would be a plus to be extra safe.
While the FDA suggests limiting your time spent in the sun while making plans for the future in the warmer months. From 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. tends to be when the sun’s rays are the most intense in the day, so be cautious of those times. Sunscreen is also highly recommended as long as its SPF value is 15 or higher. The sunscreen should be applied to any part of the body that is exposed, being reapplied every two hours depending on the activity that is being done.
When going out to have fun in the sun always remember to protect and take care of yourself to avoid any health complications.
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