Warm, sunny days make us want to spend time outside. But there are certain precautions we need to take so that we can enjoy the sun without worrying about getting sunstroke. This SWICA health tip explains what you need to consider.
The sun is good for you. It lifts your mood, allows your body to produce vitamin D, and tempts you to go outdoors and be active. But there are also significant risks associated with strong sun exposure. Sunstroke in particular can develop faster than you think.
Sunstroke occurs when your head and neck are exposed to heat and the sun's rays for too long without protection, and the UV rays emitted by the sun overheat parts of your brain's tissue or the meninges, protective membrane layers that surround the brain and spinal cord. This causes the blood vessels in the scalp to dilate to carry blood to the affected area, which can lead to inflammation and swelling. This in turn can affect normal blood circulation and disrupt the body's thermoregulation, resulting in sunstroke.
The following symptoms can occur when you get sunstroke
Typically these symptoms don't appear immediately, but with a delay of several hours.
- Reddening of the skin
- Heavy sweating
- Severe, throbbing headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Feelings of dizziness and disorientation
- Losing conciousness
What is the best way to protect myself?
If you're spending a prolonged period in the sun it's important to wear a hat from the outset, keep moving into the shade and drink plenty of water. Clothing and headwear provide the best protection against UV rays.
It's particularly important for babies and small children to have their head covered, as it's larger in relation to their body, increasing the risk of sunstroke. Their skin is also thinner and more sensitive, and their ability to cool down isn't yet fully developed. Bald people and elderly people are also more likely to suffer a sunstroke. You should also avoid exerting yourself excessively in the sun.
Beware of heat stroke!
If someone shows signs of sunstroke, they should immediately move to a cool area, drink plenty of water and seek medical help if the symptoms are severe or worsen. If sunstroke goes unnoticed and untreated for too long, there's a risk that it will develop into heat stroke. Your body temperature can shoot up to 41°C in just a few minutes, with the risk of other alarming symptoms:
- Cramps, paralysis
- Low blood pressure
- Hot, dry skin
- Fever above 40°C
- Impaired consciousness, up to and including loss of consciousness
- Accelerated breathing, up to and including respiratory arrest
- Swelling of the brain
- Ultimately organ failure can follow
If you experience warning symptoms such as extreme thirst, tiredness, excessive sweating, dizziness and confusion, headache, nausea or unusually rapid breathing, you should halt your workout immediately and move into the shade. If you do not start to feel better or other symptoms emerge, call the emergency number 144.
