In the heat of the day

Most the region lies between the tropics, meaning that exposure to the sun is high to extreme not only during summer but also the rest of the year. Beaches from Phuket to Bali register some of the highest UV radiation levels in the world yet many travellers from temperate countries know nothing about the higher intensity of UV rays and thus are particularly at risk of the sun’s harmful effect, especially during the first days after arrival. The result is sunburn ranging from moderate to severe, with children often the most affected. 

Sunburn isn’t just painful and uncomfortable but also carries the very real long-term risk of developing skin defects and even skin cancer. However, sunburn can also be avoided and the beach holiday enjoyed to its maximum simply by taking the following precautions. 

First, make a point of remaining indoors or at the very least, in the shade, well away from the glare of white sand and the swimming pool, between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its highest. Second, wear UV resistant, light-coloured clothing, sunglasses and a hat and regularly apply sun block lotion with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least at 40. 

If sunburn does occur, you can minimise the symptoms by having a cool shower, applying cold compress, using a moisturising lotion and taking ibuprofen, which may reduce the redness and skin damage. 

In addition to the unpleasant UV radiation effect, visitors to the tropics during the summer months may also suffer from the extreme heat. In warm weather conditions, our internal temperature is regulated via the dilation of the skin vessels (which dissipate the heat by convection) and via the production of sweat (evaporation of heat). In extreme heat, which is usually made worse by high humidity levels, the body’s thermoregulation system is overwhelmed. The result may well be hyperthermia, when the body temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius, a condition that leads to heat stroke or sun stroke. Heat stroke is a medical emergency and can have serious, sometimes fatal complications if not promptly and properly treated. Infants and the elderly are more prone to dehydration and are thus at a higher risk of heat stroke. 

Some treatment (such as medications for heart illnesses and depression) may also make you more susceptible to heat stroke. Initial symptoms include extreme heat cramps and exhaustion that induces headache, vomiting and a marked weakness and dizziness. Remaining exposed to the high temperature will result in full-blown heat stroke, a body temperature of more than 40 degrees C (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and a range of symptoms that include accelerated heart rate, difficulties in breathing and multiple neurological signs with agitation, abnormal behaviour and disorientation. Left untreated, more severe neurological symptoms may occur within a few hours, among them confusion, convulsion, coma, cardiovascular shock and death. Importantly, as the internal temperature control is defective, there is an absence of sweating.

If you feel even the slightest symptoms of heat exhaustion, you must immediately get out of the hot weather, take a cool shower, drink cool water and of course remain in a cooler place. If your symptoms do not promptly improve, you may be already suffering from heat stroke and need to be treated in hospital. Heat stroke treatment aims at rapidly lowering body temperature and includes the application of cooling blankets, ice packs or immersion in a very cold bath. 

Prevention of heat exhaustion and heat stroke is easy: simply avoid excessive activity during the day’s peak heat, wear appropriate light coloured cotton clothing and drink lots of water (never alcohol) to ensure you remain well hydrated. 

 

DR GERARD LALANDE is managing director of CEO-HEALTH, which |provides medical referrals for expatriates and customised executive |medical check-ups in Thailand. He can be contacted at [email protected].