Strike the Summer

Summer as everyone knows is the warmest part of the year occurring between spring and autumn, but the months that are assigned to the summer season is different in different hemispheres of the earth. In the northern hemisphere, it constitutes of June, July, and August months. Astronomically, summer extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox in the northern hemisphere and in the southern hemisphere from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox.

Because summer happens to be the hottest season of the year, it also happens to be the holiday season for all the student fraternity all over the world, and so we are compelled to “celebrate” this hot holiday season, though with huff and puff.

Let’s see how we can manage the major “summer issues” effectively through the respective recommendations.

1. Sun Tan/Sun Burn: Going out in the sun on a hot summer day causes our skin cells (melanocytes) to produce a skin pigment called “melanin” that absorbs the ultraviolet rays of the sun and causes a tan, this takes 5 to 7 days. This protects the skin from skin cancer. So, dark–skinned people are better protected from UV rays and are less prone to skin cancer, Albinos do not have the protective pigment at all. The fair-skinned do not have enough pigment. So, they don’t tan, but just burn. The reddishness of the skin is caused by inflammation of the cells caused by UV rays. Sometimes blisters also result from sun burn.

Recommendations: Wear a sun screen on all sunny days 30 minutes before going out. Look at the SPF (sun protection factor) on sunscreens. They range from 2 to 70. Higher the SPF, greater is the length of sun protection. They should be applied to kids also since sun exposure is more till our teens. This will protect them from skin cancer later in life.

Wear protective hats or umbrellas when out in the sun.

Natural remedies for sun tan or burn is applying honey, egg white, cucumber juice, tomato juice, lemon juice, Aloe Vera, rose water, milk etc and washing after sometime..

2. Summer Diseases: Most common infections are enteroviruses (stomach bugs), parainfluenza (respiratory bugs) and poliovirus (polio), rhino virus (common cold) can also occur. Contagious respiratory infections are common among children in summer.

Mosquito-borne infections caused by the arboviruses are common and can cause West Nile encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis and dengue fever. They are more common specifically in the late summer.

Tick-borne diseases include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and ehrlichiosis. So, take note of any sickness that follows a tick bite.

Food poisoning or food-borne illnesses are another important aspect of summer as the bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments. Being the holiday season, allows for more picnics, cookouts etc.

Naegleria fowleri causes amebic meningoencephalitis, a rapid and fatal infection affecting kids who swim in warm, polluted and stagnant water, such as a lake or poorly-chlorinated swimming pool.

Recommendations: Antibiotics may be required for stomach bugs, fever, or any infection symptoms.

Chemical mosquito repellents like DEET and picaridin may be used. Natural products like citronella, lemon eucalyptus oil, thyme, fennel, clove oil, neem oil, garlic etc are also good enough..

Natural method of controlling ticks and mosquitoes is rearing chickens and other poultry in the backyard that which simply feed over them.

Wearing long-sleeved tucked in, long pants, and hats to cover exposed skin may help prevent bites of ticks and fleas. Wearing boots, not sandals, and tucking pants into socks will help. Remember mosquitoes are most active during dawn and dusk.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommends appropriate vaccines for all age groups travelling to particular disease zones.

3. Summer foods/hydration: Summer foods should be light and easily digestible. Summer foods should cater to the special need of cooling our body. It is the nature’s way to produce seasonal foods to fit the requirement of the season.

Recommendations: Basically less cooked foods of, fruits, berries, salad greens, asparagus, cucumbers, peas, green beans, corn, tomatoes, etc., all come during this season. Liquid coolers, fruit juices are a must.

We must drink enough fluids/water to make good the excessive loss of fluids from our body (dehydration). Alcohol and caffeine are diuretics, and can contribute to dehydration and heat exhaustion. Treatment of severe dehydration and heat stroke is a medical emergency. Treatment of dehydration typically requires both the replacement of water loss as well as restoration of normal concentrations of electrolytes within the body fluid.

So, now just take a plunge into this summer season with cool cottons and cool glasses to cool destinations with care.

Watch the Video: Staying Safe in Heat

Disclaimer: This video is included for your awareness only. Check your physician for any questions.

Really? Sneezing ...