HEALTH TIPS
STAY HYDRATED
SOOTHE THE BURN
l TUCK IN Munch on juicy fruits such as oranges or chunks of melon. Make easy, nutritious ice lollies by popping slices of melon on wooden skewers and freezing, and swap your lunchtime sarnie for a salad packed with hydrating cucumber, tomatoes and lettuce.
l ACT FAST As soon as the first signs of sunburn appear, take ibuprofen regularly over the next 48 hours (always check the pack for dosage instructions). Its anti-inflammatory effects can help reduce swelling and redness.
l THINK KID-FRIENDLY HYDRATION If your kids hate drinking water, try freezing halved raspberries or seeded grapes mixed with water in ice-cube trays instead.
l BREW A GREEN TEA Cool used tea bags in the fridge, then apply to the affected area as a poultice. Green tea contains tannins that have been shown to calm the skin.
l ENJOY THAT CAFFEINE HIT It’s a myth that a moderate caffeine intake dehydrates you – it has similar hydrating benefits to water. Just stick to a maximum of four cups a day.
l TRY A SALTY SPRITZER Epsom salt is renowned for soothing aches and pains, but its anti-inflammatory qualities are also great for sunburn. Mix with water in a spray bottle and then mist over affected areas.
FIGHT HAYFEVER
STOP PRICKLY HEAT
It affects one in five* of us in the UK and if you live in a big town or city, hayfever is often exacerbated by high pollution levels. Treatments such as eye drops, antihistamines and nasal decongestants are really helpful, but these expert ideas could also ease your symptoms. l GET COUNTING The pollen count issued by the Met Office isn’t just an indication of when to stay inside; you should also avoid drying your clothes outside when it’s high to stop them irritating you later on. l SET A TRAP Spread a thin layer of Vaseline inside your nostrils to catch those pesky pollen particles, stopping them from entering your nasal passages. l STRIP OFF Since clothes and hair are such a haven for pollen, jump in the shower at the end of the day and put your clothes in the washing machine to stop it spreading to your sofas and bed.
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Cancer Research UK says getting sunburnt just once every two years can triple the risk of developing melanoma. It’s easy to get caught out: up to 80 per cent of the sun’s rays penetrate the clouds even on overcast days. Don’t rely on clothes to protect your skin – a white T-shirt only has an SPF of about seven. If you get burnt by the sun, try these quick, soothing tricks.
‘Prickly heat usually results from blocked sweat glands, but might also be caused by bacteria on the skin,’ advises Elizabeth Rimmer, skincare expert and director of London Professional Aesthetics. Try these tricks if you’re suffering. l LIGHTEN UP Thick sun cream can make prickly heat worse as it blocks sweat ducts, so swap for lighter sprays. l COOL IT Stay out of the sun and cool your skin down with calamine lotion, cool packs or aloe gel. l PUT IT ON ICE Make mini ice packs to calm irritated skin: simply freeze aloe vera gel (try Banana Boat Aloe Vera Gel), in ice-cube trays, then massage the cubes into sore skin when required. Or try an oatmeal bath: steep a few handfuls of oatmeal in the bath and soak yourself for 10 minutes. The oats also act as a gentle scrub to unblock pores.
WORDS SARAH COOPER-WHITE IMAGES GETTY IMAGES * NHS Choices
‘Most of us don’t drink enough water, but in the heat it’s more important than ever, as it’s easy to become dehydrated,’ says GP Dr Clare Morrison. ‘Regardless of whether you feel thirsty, sip non-alcoholic drinks regularly.’ We need six to eight glasses of fluid a day to stay hydrated. Try these tips to up your fluid intake…
