14 tips against the shadows of the sun

1. Wonderful, that summer. But no one wants burned skin, heat stroke or - worse still - dehydration. That is why we refresh everyone's memory with advice to get through hot days without complaints. And, for emergencies, first aid for heat disease.

1. The bad side of uv

1. On a cool but bright day, the sun's power can be surprisingly strong. Clouds are also no guarantee against burning. The sun power or UV index is a measure of the amount of ultraviolet radiation (UV) in the sunlight that reaches the earth. This depends, among other things, on the cloud cover and the amount of particulate matter. The higher the sun power, the more chance of burning.

2. Sun power 15 at the equator

1. With sun power 3 you run a risk, depending on skin type, after 25 to 35 minutes unprotected in the sun. At sun power 5 this is already the case after 15 to 25 minutes. In our country, a solar power of over 7 occurs at most four times a year, but in areas closer to the equator and in the mountains it can be 15 or higher. Everyone gradually knows the danger of sunburn. It causes DNA damage in the skin and therefore increases the risk of skin cancer. Every year about 47,000 Dutch people are told that they have this form of cancer. â € œThat number has more than tripled in the past ten years and that increase will continue for the time being, â € says KWF information officer Marsja Meijer. The solar power forecast is stated on the KNMI site, both for the Netherlands and the rest of Europe. The free KWF Zonkracht app for iPhone and Android provides sun advice based on a skin type test. This only works in the Netherlands.

2. With sun power 3 you run a risk, depending on skin type, after 25 to 35 minutes unprotected in the sun. At sun power 5 this is already the case after 15 to 25 minutes. In our country, a solar power of more than 7 occurs no more than four times a year, but in areas closer to the equator and in the mountains it can be 15 or higher. Everyone gradually knows the danger of sunburn. It causes DNA damage in the skin and therefore increases the risk of skin cancer. Every year about 47,000 Dutch people are told that they have this form of cancer. â € œThat number has more than tripled in the past ten years and the increase will continue for the time being, ”says KWF information officer Marsja Meijer. The solar power forecast can be found on the KNMI site, both for the Netherlands and the rest of Europe. The free KWF Zonkracht app for iPhone and Android provides sun advice based on a skin type test. This only works in the Netherlands.

3. Bad from the heat

1. Unfortunately, the sun can do more than damage the skin. As we age, the body has more difficulty responding to a change in temperature. This increases the risk of overheating or even heat stroke. Heat stroke such as this usually flares up during exercise. Those who take medicines for Parkinson's disease, allergies or incontinence are more at risk. These agents counteract sweating, making the user more likely to overheat. With heat stroke, the body temperature is disrupted and can rise to above 42 degrees Celsius. Signs include: muscle pain, reddening or pale, sweating, nausea, dizziness and headache. Those who suffer from these types of symptoms should immediately seek shade and have a drink. Loosen tight clothing and cool your head with wet cloths.

2. Unfortunately, the sun can do more than damage the skin. As we age, the body has more difficulty responding to a change in temperature. This increases the risk of overheating or even heat stroke. Heat stroke like this mainly occurs during exercise. Those who take medicines for Parkinson's disease, allergies or incontinence are more at risk. These agents counteract sweating, making the user more likely to overheat. With heat stroke, the body temperature is disrupted and can rise to above 42 degrees Celsius. Signs include: muscle pain, reddening or pale, sweating, nausea, dizziness and headache. Those who suffer from these types of symptoms should immediately seek shade and have a drink. Loosen tight clothing and cool your head with wet cloths.

4. UV also has many advantages

1. UV-B radiation in particular causes sunburn, UV-A for skin aging. Therefore choose sunscreen with both a UVB and UVA filter. Anyone with fair skin or little exposure to the sun can start with a factor of 50. â € œHowever, it is also wise to go outside every day without sunscreen. Your body produces vitamin D under the influence of UV light. Sunscreen prevents the production of this important vitamin. Vitamin D ensures strong bones and teeth, good resistance and protects against various types of cancer, such as colon cancer, ”says KWF information officer Marsja Meijer. It is good to spend 15 to 30 minutes unprotected in the sun every day. Especially for people over 50, because our skin does not produce vitamin D as easily as we get older.

2. UV-B radiation in particular causes sunburn, UV-A causes skin aging. Therefore, choose sunscreen with both a UVB and UVA filter. Anyone with fair skin or who has not been exposed to much sun can start with a factor of 50. â € œIt is nevertheless wise to go outside without sunscreen every day. Your body produces vitamin D under the influence of UV light. Sunscreen prevents the production of this important vitamin. Vitamin D ensures strong bones and teeth, good resistance and protects against various types of cancer, such as colon cancer, ”says KWF information officer Marsja Meijer. It is good to spend 15 to 30 minutes unprotected in the sun every day. Especially for people over 50, because our skin produces vitamin D less easily as we get older.

5. Bumps and other discomfort

1. With sun allergy, exposure to sunlight will cause itching, bumps, red blisters and swelling. A dermatologist can use a light test to determine whether it is a reaction to UVA or UVB radiation, or both. It is estimated that sun allergy occurs in 10 to 20 percent of the European population, more often in women. It usually starts between the ages of 20 and 40.

2. With sun allergy, exposure to sunlight causes itching, bumps, red blisters and swelling. A dermatologist can use a light test to determine whether it is a reaction to UVA or UVB radiation, or both. It is estimated that sun allergy occurs in 10 to 20 percent of the European population, more often in women. It usually starts between the ages of 20 and 40.

6. A UV lamp can help

1. The most common form of sun allergy is polymorphic light eruption (PLE), especially in people with fair skin. It can help to slowly adjust your skin to the sun in the spring. This is also possible with light therapy, in which a UVA lamp is used in combination with the medicine psoralen (PUVA light therapy). You can also use anti-inflammatory drugs or anti-malarials. Antihistamines reduce itching. A hypersensitive reaction can also arise from skin care products or contact with plants that contain phototoxic substances, such as hogweed and parsnips. Antibiotics, medicines for heart complaints or antidepressants can also cause sun allergies. This does not mean that this medication is less effective, but may be a reason to consult the doctor about other medication use and to be extra careful with direct sunlight.

7. Fresh awakening

1. If you want to sleep as cool as possible, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible during the day on hot days. Good sun protection, heavy curtains or a roller shutter ensure that the sun and the bedroom stay cool during the day. Do not open windows and doors against each other until the outside temperature decreases. And let warm air escape through the skylight or another high window in the house. Hanging a wet (bath) sheet in front of the open window in the evening provides extra cooling. A fan can also help. The effect of this is even greater with a bowl of ice cubes in front of it: the air then feels colder. Take a (lukewarm) shower just before going to bed. Light pajamas can absorb the perspiration and are therefore cooler than sleeping naked. The air in an airplane is extremely dry. This is because the icy outside air has to be heated to room temperature at a great height. In addition, the humidity drops to less than 10 percent, while in the Netherlands it is usually around 75 percent. That low humidity can make you feel limp and exhausted, and it is even harder on traveling to a warm and dry country. It is therefore good to drink extra water not only during, but also before and after the flight. Especially with a long flight. That also mitigates the effects of jet lag.

8. Drinking water helps…

1. A person should drink 1.7 liters per day. Elderly people often have a less strong thirst stimulus. As a result, they do not notice that they drink too little.

9. ... but sometimes in moderation

1. Those who become dehydrated will experience confusion, dizziness, reduced elasticity of the skin and a dry tongue. Dehydration increases the risk of infections and kidney stones and can also cause thrombosis. Those who suffer from cardiovascular disease often use water pills to get rid of moisture and therefore run an extra risk of dehydration. Users of antidepressants often perspire more and therefore need to drink more. People with kidney problems and diabetes are also more likely to suffer from dehydration. However, patients with kidney problems or heart failure are often not allowed to drink indefinitely; so they would do well to ask their doctor for advice in hot weather.

10. Beautiful under the sun

1. Use little or no make-up, deodorant, skin oil or greasy cream in heat. These products seal the skin, so that it retains more heat. In addition, cosmetics can cause unpleasant skin reactions under the influence of UV radiation. This often happens with products containing citrus fruit, St. John's wort and tea tree. Natural products are therefore not necessarily better. Some substances in perfume can cause hypersensitivity reactions or pigmentation spots when exposed to sunlight. Therefore choose unscented cosmetics with UV filter and choose waterproof make-up because of the risk of smearing.

11. Better lukewarm than ice cold

1. Cold drinks and ice cubes are counterproductive in heat. Although they cause the body temperature to drop, our internal thermostat gives a signal to let it rise again. Result: we are only getting warmer. It is better to drink (lukewarm) warm herbal tea. This makes the body temperature a bit higher, but our body reacts to this by lowering the thermostat.

12. Put out bites

1. Nettles can disturb the pleasant coolness of the shade. The burning sensation they cause is easily remedied with a bruised plantain leaf, a plant that is often close to nettles. Rubbing the stinging area with the open dandelion stalk also helps, as does dabbing with vinegar or a cut raw potato. We are not safe in the water either; a jellyfish bite is so sustained. Rinsing with sea water works, rinsing with fresh water does not. To reduce itching, you can then rub the skin with an insect bite remedy.

13. Healthy salts

1. Sweating cools our body. However, not only is moisture lost, but we also lose electrolytes (salts). These are minerals, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and chlorine. Sodium in particular ensures that moisture is absorbed faster. Supplying electrolytes requires more than just drinking extra water. It is fine by eating, for example, watermelon, mango, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. This fruit contains not only sugars and vitamins, but also many minerals, such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and iron. Vegetables also contain minerals. Cucumber in particular is a great thirst quencher. You can also supplement salt deficiency well with stock, fresh fruit juice, milk, tomato juice or a sports drink that contains minerals.

14. Cool head with (travel) apps

1. Keeping calm is the best remedy on hot days. But that is not so simple for those who have to explain to a doctor or in the hospital that they have something wrong while on vacation. Because how do you say you bruised yourself in Turkish? A handy app is then HealthNet Dictionary. This lists five hundred common complaints and useful terms for doctors, pharmacies or hospitals in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Turkish. RIVM has a handy new Tick Bite app with the current tick activity in the Netherlands. It shows how to recognize and remove a tick. The SOS Op Reis app provides international emergency numbers and the numbers of almost all Dutch insurance companies, banks and telecom providers. The mentioned apps are free and suitable for iPhone, iPad and Android and can also be used offline.