With temperatures on the rise as the Island enjoys a prolonged period of sunshine, the public are being reminded to take care in the sun.  Although both warm weather and sunshine will be welcomed, excessive heat and prolonged exposure to strong sunshine poses health risks, particularly to those in vulnerable groups.
 
Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK, said: “Everyone will undoubtedly be enjoying the warm weather, but hot spells can lead to serious illness and, sadly, an increase in deaths – particularly amongst the elderly – as was the case in the heat wave of August 2003 in England when deaths amongst over 75s increased by 60%.  There are basic, commonsense tips which everyone should follow, and telltale signs people should look out for, especially in those who are more vulnerable, which in addition to the elderly, includes young children, and those with long term health conditions.
 
Symptoms to watch out for that indicate an adverse reaction to heat, such as heatstroke, include:

•         Thirst
•         Excessive perspiration
•         Tiredness
•         Headache
•         Feeling weak
•         Feeling dizzy or faint
•         Shortness of breath
•         Confusion
•         Vomiting
 
Those displaying these symptoms should take action by cooling down as quickly as possible:

•         Have plenty of cold drinks, avoid excess alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks
•         Eat cold foods, particularly those with high water content, such as fruit and salads
•         Take a cool shower or bath, or sprinkle water over the skin or clothing.
 
In addition to the above advice, people should try to prevent getting too hot in the first place:

•         Stay out of the sun between 11am and 3.00pm when the sun is at its strongest
•         If you do need to go out, try to stay in the shade, keep well hydrated, and wear sunscreen and a hat or a scarf
•         Avoid extreme physical activity, or if you can’t avoid it try to limit it to the cooler times of the day
•         Keep your environment cool – especially important for the young and elderly – by opening windows, closing curtains or blinds to keep the sun out, using an electric fan, and turning off non-essential lights and electrical equipment which generate heat
•         Keep an eye on the weather forecast and if necessary keep a thermometer in your house to monitor the temperature.
 
Dr Paul Emerson, Consultant in Public Health Medicine said: “As with advice for cold weather, we’d ask that the public look out for neighbours and relatives who may be in a vulnerable group, such as the elderly.  Heat can have just as a dramatic effect on health as a cold snap in winter, so whilst we want everyone to have fun in the sun and enjoy the summer weather, it’s important that we get these safety messages out.  Very simple steps such as opening windows and having plenty of cold drinks can, for some, mean the difference between becoming seriously ill, or even premature death.”
 
Exposure to the sun is also a risk factor, and the public are encouraged to ‘Be Safe in the Sun’ as part of the Department’s ongoing campaign to prevent skin cancer.  The public should ensure that they cover their skin with light loose fitting clothes, try to stay out of the sun when it’s at its highest between 11.00am and 3,00pm, and apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.  It’s best to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which protects against both UVB and UVA rays.
 
Angela Howland, Senior Health Promotion Officer, said: “The first defence against sunburn is applying common sense and trying to stay out of the sun.  If you do go out into the sunshine, make sure you cover up – clothing provides protection – and think about wearing a hat to keep the sun off your face.  Sunscreen is important, particularly for high risk skin types or prolonged exposure, even on a cloudy day, and especially so for children as their skin is more sensitive and fragile.  Sunscreen shouldn’t be used as an excuse to stay in the sun longer than you normally would.  Enjoy the sun, but don’t burn.  Avoiding sunburn and overexposure to the sun is the best way all of us can avoid developing dangerous skin conditions, such as skin cancer.  This applies all year round, and not just during warm periods – the dangers of developing skin cancer are cumulative, so it’s important to be vigilant all the time.”