Keep yourself hydrated

You must Look out for Heat stroke Symptoms

Loss of body water in summer is natural but when the intake of water is less, the loss leads to rise in body temperature. Before this, the body often sends out signals in the form of heat cramps or exhaustion, stating that all is not well. These two basic symptoms are signs that the body does not have enough fluids.

People who exercise too much in hot and humid weather but do not drink enough fluids fall prey to this. It also happens to the very old and those who are suffering from health problems.

Muscle cramps, exhaustion, headaches, dizziness, nausea or vomiting are some symptoms that your  body is getting dehydrated.

Dr Mohammed Parvez, senior consultant physician of Mediciti Hospitals, says, “People who have heat stroke have a body temperature of 104 degrees or higher, faster breathing and heartbeat, redness and warmth of skin.

They also have brain symptoms like confusion or having trouble thinking clearly. Seeing or hearing things that aren’t real, trouble while walking, seizures and passing out or fainting are also symptoms before a fatal heat stroke. These signs mean that they require urgent medical help.”

Children not secreting tears while crying or if they have a sunken fontanel, the gap between the bones in the skull caves in means that they require urgent help.
Those who move out in odd hours especially in the afternoons in summer must ensure that they drink sufficient water and also carry a cool pack or a cold cloth, which can be draped around the neck or under the armpit.

It is also important not to drink too much tea, coffee, alcohol, hot soups and spicy foods during this season as it increases the temperature of the body and drains the fluids.

Use Light lotions to protect your skin

Proper skincare during summer is important to retain its texture as skin tends to dry out due to the heat and lack of enough water in the body.

To keep the skin smooth and shiny, most people apply greasy creams but this has shown to damage the skin as the sweat pores get blocked. Use light lotions and moisturisers, which will keep the skin healthy and also protect it from the harsh rays of the sun.

Dr Anup Kumar Lahiry, consultant dermatologist at Apollo Hospitals, says, “Avoid paraffin-based lotions or moisturisers. Instead opt for glycerin-based ones. These ensure that the sweat pores remain open, your skin is protected as also your body mechanisms work properly.”

The most common problems during summer are prickly heat, intertrigo or macerated body folds due to sweating and friction. Excessive sweating damages the folds due to friction leading to bacterial infection.

Dr Lahiry explains, “Since most of the problems are due to friction and sweating, one needs to avoid being in hot, stuffy and humid atmospheres. Also if required to go out, one must wear light-coloured  and loose clothes, which have thin and porous textures. Denims are a big no for summers.”

Gel or lotion-based sunscreens can also be used to protect the skin. But the most important fact is the type of food you take. Eat a lot of water-based fruits like watermelons, muskmelons, oranges, cucumbers, tomatoes and coconut water which will ensure that the skin is properly hydrated.

Dr Lahiry adds, “Skin is the last organ to receive water, hence the intake of water or water-based fruits and fresh fruit juices should be increased in summer to ensure that the skin is healthy.”