With temperatures touching record numbers this year, and schools closing early, here's how to stay safe during this scorching summer and prevent commonly occurring illnesses.
Allergies
Heat allergies are not uncommon during these intensely hot months; boils and rashes often erupt all over the body. If you're very sensitive to the heat, you may even develop migraines and other related conditions. "To prevent all this, sudden exposure to the sun from a cool environment should be avoided," says Dr. Rakesh Tandon, Medical Director, Pushpawati Singhania Research Institute (PSRI Hospital), New Delhi.
Dehydration
Joint Director of Medical Services, Coimbatore, Dr. M. Tamilmani suggested drinking more water and consuming natural coolants like ice apple, cucumber, guava and watermelon. He said tender coconut water and lime juice with salt are the best to make up for loss of sodium and potassium due to excessive sweating. Those with diabetes should avoid watermelon.
Staying indoors on sunny days might be a preferable option. But, when that is not possible and when children want to enjoy their summer holidays by going outdoors and playing with their friends, precautions need to be taken.
Joint Director of Medical Services Dr. M. Tamilmani suggested drinking more water and consuming natural coolants like ice apple, cucumber, guava and watermelon. He said tender coconut water and lime juice with salt are the best to make up for loss of sodium and potassium due to excessive sweating. Those with diabetes should avoid watermelon. “Elders should stay indoors as they are more vulnerable to sun stroke,” he added. Those going out should use hat or cap, helmet while driving, sunglasses, and wear long clothes to avoid direct exposure to the sun.
Primary health centres across the district have been stocked with oral rehydration salts.
Paediatrician K. Neminathan said that children should increase their water intake by at least 50 per cent. They should take boiled and cooled water from home. Bacteria thrive in summer and chances are high for persons to be affected by waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, jaundice and dysentery and amoebiasis.
He also urged parents to avoid getting cut fruits from roadside shops for their children. At home, parents should avoid spicy and fried items and instead encourage children to have more fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh juices, soups and food rich in fibre.
Chicken pox
The number of chickenpox cases increases during summer. To combat this, K. Raja, consultant physician, K.G. Hospitals, Coimbatore, says it is imperative people consume a lot of water and fruits with high liquid content. Further, he also advocates boiling the water before consumption to prevent water-borne diseases.
Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, dizziness or headache. The person’s pulse rate will be fast and weak and breathing fast and shallow. If heat exhaustion is not treated properly, it may progress to heat stroke. It would be better to schedule outdoor activities in such a way that one is not outdoors during high noon, said the Director of Health Services, Public Health, Thiruvananthapuram.
Eye infections
Our hot summers bring along with them the possibility of eye irritation, allergy, conjunctivitis and more; so stay on guard. “When you get indoors, wash your face with clean tap water, or wet a cloth with water (cold patch) and keep it over the eyelids,” recommends Dr. A.G. Ramesh, consultant ophthalmologist.
First aid
“As a first aid measure, before meeting the eye specialist, wash the eyes with clean water and use ciprofloxacin eye drops or eye lubricants. But consulting an eye specialist is a must. Do not self-medicate by buying eye solutions prescribed for others or eye drops you have bought earlier. And do not use steroid combinations,” Dr. Ramesh warns. “With conjunctivitis, good eye hygiene should be maintained by repeated washing with clean water. Personal belongings such as handkerchiefs, mobile phone and TV remote should not be shared with others and handshaking should be avoided.” Dr. Anand advises.
Allergies
Heat allergies are not uncommon during these intensely hot months; boils and rashes often erupt all over the body. If you're very sensitive to the heat, you may even develop migraines and other related conditions. "To prevent all this, sudden exposure to the sun from a cool environment should be avoided," says Dr. Rakesh Tandon, Medical Director, Pushpawati Singhania Research Institute (PSRI Hospital), New Delhi.
Dehydration
Joint Director of Medical Services, Coimbatore, Dr. M. Tamilmani suggested drinking more water and consuming natural coolants like ice apple, cucumber, guava and watermelon. He said tender coconut water and lime juice with salt are the best to make up for loss of sodium and potassium due to excessive sweating. Those with diabetes should avoid watermelon.
Staying indoors on sunny days might be a preferable option. But, when that is not possible and when children want to enjoy their summer holidays by going outdoors and playing with their friends, precautions need to be taken.
Joint Director of Medical Services Dr. M. Tamilmani suggested drinking more water and consuming natural coolants like ice apple, cucumber, guava and watermelon. He said tender coconut water and lime juice with salt are the best to make up for loss of sodium and potassium due to excessive sweating. Those with diabetes should avoid watermelon. “Elders should stay indoors as they are more vulnerable to sun stroke,” he added. Those going out should use hat or cap, helmet while driving, sunglasses, and wear long clothes to avoid direct exposure to the sun.
Primary health centres across the district have been stocked with oral rehydration salts.
Paediatrician K. Neminathan said that children should increase their water intake by at least 50 per cent. They should take boiled and cooled water from home. Bacteria thrive in summer and chances are high for persons to be affected by waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, jaundice and dysentery and amoebiasis.
He also urged parents to avoid getting cut fruits from roadside shops for their children. At home, parents should avoid spicy and fried items and instead encourage children to have more fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh juices, soups and food rich in fibre.
Chicken pox
The number of chickenpox cases increases during summer. To combat this, K. Raja, consultant physician, K.G. Hospitals, Coimbatore, says it is imperative people consume a lot of water and fruits with high liquid content. Further, he also advocates boiling the water before consumption to prevent water-borne diseases.
Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, dizziness or headache. The person’s pulse rate will be fast and weak and breathing fast and shallow. If heat exhaustion is not treated properly, it may progress to heat stroke. It would be better to schedule outdoor activities in such a way that one is not outdoors during high noon, said the Director of Health Services, Public Health, Thiruvananthapuram.
Eye infections
Our hot summers bring along with them the possibility of eye irritation, allergy, conjunctivitis and more; so stay on guard. “When you get indoors, wash your face with clean tap water, or wet a cloth with water (cold patch) and keep it over the eyelids,” recommends Dr. A.G. Ramesh, consultant ophthalmologist.
First aid
“As a first aid measure, before meeting the eye specialist, wash the eyes with clean water and use ciprofloxacin eye drops or eye lubricants. But consulting an eye specialist is a must. Do not self-medicate by buying eye solutions prescribed for others or eye drops you have bought earlier. And do not use steroid combinations,” Dr. Ramesh warns. “With conjunctivitis, good eye hygiene should be maintained by repeated washing with clean water. Personal belongings such as handkerchiefs, mobile phone and TV remote should not be shared with others and handshaking should be avoided.” Dr. Anand advises.