The Ultimate Trip Guide; Tips On How To Have A Healthy And Safe Vacation

Sun And Heat Prevention

What’s a fantastic vacation without a little fun in the sun? To ensure you enjoy your tropical resort or hot destination, there are a few preventative measures you should take to avoid sun and heat-related health issues, which can be incredibly dangerous for your overall health. Health risks associated with the sun and heat are most prevalent for older travelers, infants, and young children, as well as those who have chronic illnesses such as breathing problems, heart or kidney problems, hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, or a mental condition.

Some key tips to remember are to dress for the weather by wearing loose-fitting and breathable fabric, stay hydrated, and drink plenty of water. Also, avoid sun exposure and limit your time in the sun by wearing a hat or staying in the shade, wearing sunglasses that protect against UVA and UVB rays, and lathering on the sunscreen! Make sure you are using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least fifteen (if you’re in a tropical paradise, you may want to consider thirty plus), and the sunscreen should state it is ‘broad-spectrum,’ which means it protects against most UVA and UVB rays.

Sun-Related Illnesses

Sunburns are the most typical form of sun-related conditions an individual can develop. A sunburn is caused by overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, while the symptoms are temporary, it can cause skin damage which can develop into serious long-term health concerns, such as skin cancer. Protect yourself on cloudy days or when you least expect to get a sunburn, as reflections off of snow, water, sand, and concrete can increase the effect of UV rays.

If you have been in the sun long enough, you may be at an increased risk for heat illness, so be aware of both to protect yourself effectively. Symptoms of sunburn include red, tender skin that is warm and sensitive to the touch, blistering, severe reactions such as fever, chills, nausea, or a rash, and skin peeling in the sunburnt areas days later. Although you cannot magically cure it in a day, you may find relief by applying one-hundred percent aloe vera gel, staying out of the sun and cover up the sunburnt areas, and drink plenty of fluids.