Summer season is in full swing nowadays with hot winds blowing in the daytime and the sunrays getting harsh, making it very difficult to live without ACs and coolers. However, there are some benefits of the summer season too as you can get up early in the morning and can go for a walk or jog. You can relish the pleasure of digging teeth in ice creams or cool desserts. For most people, the best part about summer is that they can get rid of heavy woolen clothes. However, there are some problems that you can face during summer which can spoil the fun of the season.
Here are 15 such major health problems as well as their solutions:
#15 Food poisoning
You have to be very careful about what you eat in summers because due to heat, food items spoil very fast. In addition, avoid eating outside and focus more on juices as well as fruits such as watermelon, olives and other juicy fruits. Try to eat only fresh food and smell every food item before eating. Follow 4Cs to save yourself from food poisoning – cleanliness, cooking thoroughly, chill appropriately and avoid cross contamination.
The symptoms of food poisoning are vomiting, nausea and diarrhea and if any of these symptoms are seen, contact your doctor immediately.
#14 Sunburns
When sunrays are harsh, make sure that your body parts are covered with clothes. Also don’t forget to wear a hat or cap to protect your head. Sunburns happen when skin is exposed to sunrays for a long time. Sunscreen can be applied on skin to avoid sunburn and if sunrays are very strong, apply sunscreen in every two hours and drink more water.
The first symptom of sunburn is that it will feel painful to touch that part of the skin which is burnt. Menthol, aloe or camphor can be applied on the burn skin but if the burn is big and paining a lot, don’t delay in contacting the doctor.
#13 Dust allergy
The influx of dust in the house is more in summers than in winters because in summers, we tend to keep the windows of the house open. This dust can be the cause of allergy and asthma so you need to maintain cleanliness. Use vacuum cleaner once in a week to clean the house as well as change and wash the bedding and blankets once in a week. If you have pets in house, groom them and pay proper attention on the cleanliness of babies.
#12 Hay fever
Those who suffer from allergies or asthma are more prone to hay fever as it is caused because of the allergic reaction to the pollen from plants. This reaction will result in inflammation, sneezing, cough, fatigue and headache.
Some people get to suffer because of pollens in spring while some suffer in the summer season. Avoiding going outdoors during the peak pollen times is the best way to save yourself from hay fever. What’s more, keep doors and windows of the house closed. Medications and nasal sprays can be used to manage the allergic condition but if it gets severe, see the doctor.
#11 Sweating and the stinky smell
Heavy sweating in underarms and feet can be a big problem for some as it is very stinky and can damage your image to a great extent. Using deodorant is the easiest way to handle this problem but if you are allergic to deodorants, you are left with the option of wearing clothes made of natural materials like cotton, etc. Taking bath a couple of times can also help with this issue. Drink green tea in summers instead of usual tea or coffee.
#10 Dehydration or heat exhaustion
Sweating excessively results in loss of water and salt from the body and it can cause dehydration or heat exhaustion. The symptoms are dizziness, headaches and the person can faint too. However, it can be treated by drinking fluids and sitting in a cool area. If heat exhaustion is not treated immediately, it can lead to heatstroke, which is a medical emergency and if it happens, visit a doctor soon.
#9 Lyme disease
We tend to go to countryside more in summers to have some quality time in the lap of nature. However, there are good chances of you getting bitten by ticks which carry harmful bacteria. The reason behind a person suffering from Lyme disease is getting bitten by an infected black-legged tick and the symptoms include fever, headache and exhaustion. Use of insect repellants can save from such ticks however, if a person shows the symptoms of Lyme disease, visit a doctor soon.
#8 Diseases from mosquito bites
Mosquitoes increase in the environment during summers and there are many diseases which are spread due to mosquito bites. As we keep our windows open in summers, mosquitoes tend to come inside the house also. However, people can employ many methods to keep them outside the house such as using mosquito repellents or coils. There are some natural methods as well as burning cinnamon or using lemon eucalyptus oil as a mosquito repellent. You can also apply mosquito repellent cream on your body while going out. Additionally, make sure that water doesn’t get collected anywhere as it can be a breeding base for mosquitoes.
#7 Irritation in thigh skin
Those who like to wear shorts or mini-skirts may end up with irritation and rashes in thigh skin and the best way to get rid of it is to moisturize your skin. Use creams which have calendula and cucumber extract, vitamins C and E. Use lukewarm water for shower as it can reduce irritation.
#6 Dry and irritated skin
Skin gets dry due to the hot, humid and dry air and it can result in itching, cracks and change in color. This happens mostly to those who spend maximum time in the sun, air conditioner or pool. To prevent skin from dryness, use moisturizer gels instead of regular soaps and apply sunscreen before going out of the home and keep it with you as well so that you can apply it at regular intervals. Take bath with warm or lukewarm water to get relief.
#5 Sun allergy
A person may develop urticaria (hives) on the skin by spending a good amount of time in sun if the sun sensitivity is in heredity or a person is under certain medication. The hives are red, itchy, raised welts on the skin and they are of various sizes and shapes. Ask your doctor whether the tablets prescribed by him will result in any allergy when you go out in sun. If yes, avoid going in the sun and protect your skin.
#4 Swimmer’s itch
People don’t mind jumping in lakes or ponds for swimming in the summer season but these water bodies may contain harmful parasites because of which the person can get tiny red spots on the body parts which were uncovered. They can cause itching and sometimes blisters also appear. Swimmer’s itch can be prevented by swimming in only those water bodies which are properly maintained.
#3 Acne breakout
In summers, people sweat a lot and when this sweat mixes with oil and bacteria on their skin, it clogs the pores. If the person’s skin is acne prone, it may result in breakouts. Don’t use towels to wipe off sweat as it may result in irritation so it will be better if you blot sweat from the skin and make sure that you wear washed clothes only.
#2 Eyes protection
As the sunrays are very harsh in summers, we need to take care of eyes also in order to save them from sunrays. Sunglasses of good quality should be used in order to save eyes as various diseases can be caused once eyes are over-exposed to sunrays. Eyes should be washed using cold water after a person returns to house from outside so that they can get rid of impurities as it helps in keeping eyes healthy.
#1 Razor burns
If you are not habitual of shaving the delicate parts of the body such as bikini area or armpits in winters, you may get razor burns after shaving them in summers. You can experience redness, itching, and swelling in those areas and applying lavender oil or a mixture of mashed strawberries and oil can give some relief from the burns.