Quick Tips To Beat The Summer Heat

Why is the sun harmful?

Hot and humid environment slows down the evaporation of sweat. While atmospheric temperature continues to rise, our body cannot cool down fast enough. There is a state of elevated core temperature or Hyperthermia. This can lead to Heat Exhaustion and in severe cases (core temperature > 40 degree Celsius). Heat Stroke Skin problems are the commonest ranging from simple sun tan to skin cancer due to harmful effect of Ultra Violet rays of the sun.

As Patricia Farris, a famous dermatologist has rightly said – “Your skin remembers every bit of sun it ever had! ”Bad effect of sun heat leads to:

• Heat Exhaustion- Elevated core temperature associated with hyperventilation and symptoms of tiredness, fatigue, muscular weakness, dizziness and collapse.
• Heat Stroke – Life threatening condition when core temperature of body is > 40 degree Celsius. Symptoms of heat exhaustion occur in addition to headache, nausea and vomiting. 
• Coarse muscle tremor and confusion which may progress to loss of consciousness may be seen as a neurological manifestation. 
• Heat Cramps – Painful muscle cramps occur most commonly in the legs of young people following vigorous exercise in hot weather.
• Heat Rash – Skin redness , dryness , irritation from excess sweating .Prickly Heat / Miliaria Rubra – Papular itching eruption of the skin due to blockage of sweat ducts.
• Cataract – Long term UV exposure increases formation of free radicals which injures the lens and can cause its opacity. 
• Photo ageing – More the exposure to sun, more are the signs of ageing like dry rough skin, shallow complexion, etc.
• Sun Burn – Erythema caused by exposure to critical amounts of UV light.
• Sun Tan – Brownish discolouration of skin from exposure to sun

Tips To Beat The Summer Heat

With homoeopathy as our weapon we can surely beat the heat! Following are useful homeopathic remedies for treating solar ailments:

• Stay in a cool & shady place as much as possible specially during afternoon.
• Wear light coloured light weight loose clothes.
• Do not go out without a hat or scarf or an umbrella.
• Use a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.
• Reduce the consumption of tea, coffee, cola and alcohol. Do not drink liquids with large amount of sugar.
• Drink lots of water, clear juice, electrolyte containing drinks .
• Eat small meals and more often. Avoid foods high in protein which increase the metabolic heat.
• Do not exercise too hard. Cool down yourself with a cool shower.
• In case of heat stroke use cold wraps and fan the person. Seek medical help as quickly as possible.