How to Enjoy Summer

Every season comes with its own challenges. Summer is here, and we need to adjust, not just to survive it, but to be happy all through the season — to enjoy it. Here are a few tips that can help you enjoy this summer. We will also discuss common summer hazards and how to avoid them.

6 Summer Tips

Use Appropriate Summer Accessories

Whether it`s for beauty or other purposes, it is important that you wear appropriate summer accessories. Metal accessories, for instance, will burn your skin because they absorb heat. You should use accessories that are appropriate for summer — there are a number of stores that have them.

Wear Big Floppy Hats

Hats will protect your skin from sun damage. The big floppy ones particularly look cool. You could add a patterned ribbon or band to the hat so it looks even nicer.

Wear Light Summer Scarves

Scarves add color to your dresses. You could wrap a scarf around your neck or use it as a belt on your dress. Like hats, they`ll protect you from the heat of sunlight. Just ensure they`re light.

Wear Light-Colored Clothing

Light-colored clothing, white in particular, is appropriate during summer. You know the science behind white being a color that emits light and doesn’t absorb it. White doesn`t absorb heat, hence, it`s a great color in summer. You could combine it with other colors to look great. And who says you can`t even have an all-white outfit?

Care for your Hair

Your hair is as important of your skin, so take care of it. The heat from the sun can damage the outer layer of your hair, leaving your hair looking brittle and dull. Use fewer hair products during summer, and try to avoid heat technology in styling your hair or for other purposes. You should consider doing a simple braid.

Wear Sunglasses

Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays and prevent skin damage. The skin around your eyes is the thinnest in your body, hence sunglasses protect it. There are various cool sunglasses to wear that will give you a really amazing look — you may choose from any of them.

7 Summer Hazards

There are some health concerns that people have during summer. Let`s take a look at them and learn how to deal with them.

Heat Stroke

Heat-related illnesses aren`t uncommon during summer. They occur as a result of high temperatures and dehydration. Heat stroke has symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, heavy sweating, clammy skin, and fainting. To avoid heat stroke, wear light-colored clothing and loose-fitting clothing; also, stay more in air-conditioned or breezy places.

Heat Rash

Excess perspiration blocks sweat glands when it is hot and humid. It also causes a red, bumpy prickly rash, especially on the bodies of babies because their sweat glands are immature. This is why people are advised to wear loose-fitting clothing to avoid heat rash.

Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus is caused by a fungus related to the one that causes athlete`s foot, and it is treated in a similar way. You might need to take a break from nail polish and give your feet some breathing room while treating this condition. Note, however, that a prescription treatment is better at combating toenail fungus.

Coxsackie Virus

This is notorious for causing hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in children. HFMD is characterized by painful blisters in the mouth, palms, and soles. It causes a fever, and can lead to more severe conditions such as asthma, brain infection, and heart infection. HFMD has no particular treatment. What you can treat is its accompanying fever. Because the infection can be transmitted through close personal contact, it is advised to keep infected children away from others. Maintaining hygiene is a major way of preventing HFMD. Swimming pools should be clean, and parents/guardians should pay attention to their hygiene and that of their children/wards as they change their diapers and do other routines.

Infections Through Open Cuts

Going to the beach during summer is common, and walking barefoot there is just as common, but dangerous. The danger in walking barefoot at the beach is the risk of infection. Bacteria such as Staph. a and E. coli live in beach water and sand, and it can be terrible if they penetrate the body through cuts. You are advised to always have appropriate footwear on when at the beach or any place at all.

Food Poisoning

Food-borne pathogens cause deadly illnesses. Summer`s heat and humidity permit the growth and survival of bacteria in food and the environment at large. The outdoor foods we eat when we camp can be dangerous if we don`t take necessary health precautions.

Here are some summer food safety tips:

• Wash your hands regularly, and take along some water and moistened towelettes to wash and clean utensils and dishes when you camp or eat out.
• Keep raw meats away from other foods.
• Keep cold foods refrigerated, or cold with some ice. If none is available, consider eating foods that don`t require refrigeration, such as vegetables, fruits, canned or dried meats, hard cheeses, bread, crackers, and peanut butter.

Athlete’s Foot

This is characterized by itch, sting, and burning rashes on the feet, usually between the toes. The fungus that causes athlete`s foot is commonly found in warm and wet surfaces like public showers, poolside pavements, and floors of locker rooms. It thrives in moist environments. Once it gets on your skin and you sweat on your foot, it finds your foot habitable. Ensure you have your flip-flops on in moist environments. Also, after workouts and sweaty walks, wash your feet thoroughly and dry them, especially between your toes. You can treat athlete`s foot with over-the-counter antifungal creams or powders.

Debunking Summer Myths

Here are four summer myths you should stop believing.

Myth: You can’t get a sunburn on a cloudy day

Fact: This is absolutely a myth, as even the thickest of clouds cannot block out UV rays. It may not be so sunny on certain days, in fact, it may actually be breezy, however, stay protected, as you can still get a sunburn.

Myth: Butter soothes sunburn

Fact: Butter doesn`t soothe the pain from sunburn, neither does it heal it in any way. it actually makes it worse and delays the healing process. Aloe vera gel will give the soothing effect you desire. Better still, speak with your pharmacist or doctor for solutions.

Myth: A swim in the pool can replace a shower

Fact: This is totally untrue, as public pools contain loads of bacteria, hence why you should even have a shower after swimming. Even if you use a private pool, it still can`t substitute a shower.

Myth: Dark-skinned people don’t need SPF

Fact: Sun rays can affect everyone, and everyone is at risk of having it, and worse still, skin cancer. Persons with more pigment are only less susceptible to the side effects of sun rays than those with less pigment. So by all means, sun protection is for everyone.

Now That You Know…

Summer has its ups and downs, however, with adequate preparation for it, and the use of appropriate summer items, it can be a great time. Also, adhering to safety rules can go a long way in helping you have a great time.