And the dangers!
Summer’s here and we’re all excited to be out on the water, but what are the risks of having too much sun exposure?
Being in the sun for an amount of time can lead to:
Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer, over 2000 people die from skin cancer a year. Children are vulnerable to skin damage as they have lower melanin and thinner outermost layer of skin, although the elderly are also in risk of too much sun as they can put their health at risk. The sun doesn’t just damage the skin but the eyes and the immune system as well.
Symptoms of sun exposures may include:
Know these symptoms as they are also at risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, all are a very common heat related disease. If they’re left untreated it can be life threatening especially to children and adults that are 60 or over.
Dehydration is a condition that occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including not drinking enough water, excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea or certain medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease.
Symptoms may include:
To prevent dehydration, it is important to drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day and seek medical help if necessary.
Heat exhaustion is a condition that occurs when the body overheats due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures and inadequate hydration. One of the main causes is prolonged exposure to hot humid weather conditions, especially when combined with physical exertion. This can lead to an imbalance in the body’s electrolytes and dehydration.
Other risk factors for heat exhaustion include wearing heavy or tight clothing that restricts sweat evaporation, not drinking enough fluids, certain medications that affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature, and underlying health conditions such as heart disease.
Heat Exhaustion Symptoms
It is important recognise the signs of heat exhaustion early on and take steps to cool down and rehydrate before it progresses to heat stroke. To prevent heat exhaustion, it is crucial to stay hydrated.
Contact 000 if the symptoms get worse or the person is not improving.
Heat stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when the body’s temperature regulation system fails, and the body overheats. This can happen when a person is exposed to high temperatures for an extended period of time, especially if they are not properly hydrated or if they are engaged in strenuous activity.
One of the main causes is prolonged exposure to hot and humid weather conditions, which can overwhelm the body’s ability to cool itself down through sweating. Certain individuals are also at a higher risk of developing heat stroke, including young children, elderly individuals and those with certain medical conditions such as heart disease.
Symptoms may include:
It is important for the person to be treated immediately as heat stroke can cause permanent damage or death.
Our recommendation is to limit your time out in the sun especially between 10am and 2pm when the sun’s rays (UV) are most intense.
Wearing light-weighted long-sleeve shirts, pants and a had to cover exposed skin, and to wear polarised sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful ray’s.
You should have a Sun Smart Policy or similar in your SMS that identifies the best clothing and hats to wear. It should also refer to Australian Standards for sunglasses so as you can ensure you get the best sun protection.
Use sunscreen before heading outside and reapply every two hours due to swimming, sweating and towel drying, also avoid sun peak hours.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated and to prevent sunburn, be mindful of reflective surfaces such as water can reflect UV rays, increasing your risk of sunburn.
