As the temperatures are rising high above 40 degrees in April, the incidents of illnesses like heatstroke, heat cramps and exhaustion have already been reported in many parts of India.
To handle the side effects of this high temperature and heat wave, here are a few useful tips from experts at Fortis Healthcare:
Protecting School-going children
- Avoid staying outdoors for long durations: Children should not be made to stand for long during school assembly and the physical education periods. They should also not be sent for playing in the sun on an empty stomach.
- Avoid direct exposure to sunlight: Sunscreen lotion should be applied, and as far as possible, they must use an umbrella while stepping out to avoid tanning and sunburn.
- Maintain food hygiene: One must avoid eating outside snacks from canteen or open kiosks to avoid food poisoning. Food and water-borne diseases are very common in this period. Only bottled/filtered water should be consumed outside home.
Tips for the Elders
- Hydrate your body: Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day since it doesn't contain any sugar or unnecessary calories.
- Eat light, small, frequent meals: Start the morning with a sweet, juicy fruit. Ripe summer fruits such as peaches, plums, melons, pears and citrus fruits are a good choice. Include salads in your diet - consume leafy lettuce, summer greens, corn on cob and cucumbers for salads are delicious ways to stay cool.
- Wear loose, full-sleeved, light-coloured cotton clothes: These protect the body from the sun and aid evaporation of sweat. Wearing a hat or sun glasses is also helpful.
- Avoid vigorous physical activities in hot and humid weather: If you feel weak or dizzy after exposure to the sun, immediately take water or nimbu paani with salt and retire to a shaded cool place.
Caring for Infants
- Keeping the babies hydrated: Infants who are less than six months need to be frequently breast- fed to keep them hydrated. Mothers need to be hydrated as well so that the breastfeeding is adequate.
- Good Hygiene: When bathing your baby, take special care to wash her neck, underarms and other visible folds in her body. Increasing the number of proper baths or sponge baths will keep her clean and cool.
- Going outdoors: When you go out with your baby, keep her away from crowded places, direct sunlight and hot temperatures, especially the hot dry winds.
- Clothing for infants: Keep your baby cool and comfortable in loose-fitting cotton clothing that lets her skin breathe. If there are mosquitoes in your area then keep your baby's arms and legs covered with clothes made from light, breathable material such as cotton or linen.
- Home and surroundings: Ventilate your home by keeping windows open, unless the hot dry wind (loo) is blowing. Pest control can also protect your home against all kinds of disease-causing insects, like cockroaches, ants and flies. Use good quality disinfectant to clean your home.
Protecting babies from common illnesses during the summer
- Prickly heat rash: A baby's sweat glands are still developing and so they are more prone to a heat rash than adults. You can use talcum powder on your baby as long as you apply it correctly. Then apply it to the folds of your baby's skin.
- Dehydration: If you're breastfeeding, you don't need to give your baby extra water in the summer to prevent dehydration. Just feed her every time she asks for it.
- Heat stroke: Ensure your baby isn't overdressed and that she's getting enough fluids. Keep her away from direct sunlight and hot winds.
- Viral infections: If anyone in the house has viral, ask them to wash their hands with soap regularly and keep your baby away from them. If your baby does get ill, take her to the doctor.
Coping with rise in temperature
- Take Vitamin C, it can prevent you from contracting simple weather-related illnesses.
- Maintain good hygiene, try to keep the surroundings clean, avoid smoking and eating very spicy food
