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In spring, choosing the right clothes makes all the difference

Spring has finally and officially arrived, but with it we also face the well-known challenge of having to choose the right thing to wear when we go out. This health tip will help you and your children make good choices on how to dress when temperatures fluctuate strongly.

Many of us know the problem: Frosty temperatures in the morning make it essential to put on a warm coat so as not to catch a cold on the way to work. But the afternoon sun brings on balmy conditions, making the warm coat superfluous. So what are your best options?

 

Fleece or windbreaker

Anyone who's outside with a winter coat on a sunny spring day is likely to start sweating sooner or later. But when a cool draft comes by, the risk of getting sick increases fast. Dressing too lightly, on the other hand, may easily lead to a stubborn respiratory condition, such as bronchitis. This is because less blood flows to the mucous membranes when temperatures are low, making you more prone to bacterial infections. People working in offices also face the problem of having to alternate between humid spring air outdoors and dry air in closed spaces, a situation that irritates the respiratory tract further. The best option when leaving the house in the morning is to put on a warm coat and take along a fleece or wind breaker for the afternoon. We also recommend not sitting in the sun in only a t-shirt, because there is likely to be a cool breeze, in addition to the warm sun. Furthermore, don’t switch to light shoes too early, especially not when you know you’ll be waiting for a bus in the morning and evening. This is because cold feet, too, can reduce the blood flow to your mucous membranes.

 

Think “onion” when dressing children

Getting children ready for daycare in spring poses an additional challenge, and you need to consider your options for when your child suddenly starts to sweat while playing. In fluctuating temperatures – as is often the case in spring – it makes sense to think “onion” when dressing children, which means putting on multiple layers (e.g. cotton undershirt, t-shirt, cardigan, winter jacket) so that the upper layer can be removed as needed. It's also important to make sure that the child can take off the layers easily alone. Ideally you would choose items with large zipper handles, Velcro fasteners, or buttons that open easily. Make sure to put a light hat on babies and toddlers when taking them out in the morning, because without one the head will get cold more quickly.


03.04.2019
In the event of further health-related questions, SWICA customers can contact the santé24 telemedicine service free of charge on +41 44 404 86 86. A telemedicine practice licence allows santé24 physicians to provide additional medical services in cases that are suited to a telemedicine approach. SWICA customers can also use the BENECURA medical app to carry out a digital SymptomCheck and receive recommendations about what to do next. During a subsequent phone call with santé24, customers can decide for themselves whether to release their information from SymptomCheck to santé24.