How Too Much Sun Can Lead to Disaster
When the sun comes out, most people can’t help but try to soak up as much of it as possible while they can. Enjoying a sunny day isn’t something that everyone gets to do very often, so taking advantage of it while you can seems like a no-brainer. But it’s also vital to be careful when you’re out in the sun. It might be hard to resist spending all day out in the sunshine, but everyone should be aware of the consequences of getting too much sun. As well as the short-term problems it could cause, there are some long-term issues to watch out for too.
Photo by Henrik L.
3 Ways Too Much Sun Can Lead to Disaster Health-wise
Sunburn
Most of us are aware of the dangers of getting burnt out in the sun, but so many of us still fail to protect ourselves. You might think that it’s not a big deal as the sunburn will heal after a while. But not only will you have to put up with the pain and other problems like peeling skin while it heals, but it can leave behind permanent damage too. In fact, even tanning without burning can damage your skin long-term. It’s essential to use sun protection, including sunscreen and covering up with your clothes, plus stay in the shade when you can.
Further Reading: Best Reasons to Wear Sunglasses in Ireland All Year Round
Photo by Ghislaine Guerin
Dehydration
When it’s hot, you will typically sweat more. The more you sweat, the more important it is to stay hydrated. You need to make sure you’re drinking water throughout the day to stay hydrated and avoid dehydration, which might cause problems like dizziness or headaches.
On the flip side, it’s also important to watch out for hyponatremia, also known as water intoxication. This can occur if you have underlying health issues but also from drinking too much water in too short a space of time – causing the sodium in your body to become diluted. Symptoms are similar to dehydration – ranging from headaches and loss of energy to extreme symptoms such as seizures and coma.
So the take home from this is stay hydrated always, especially in the sun, but also to remember that you should only drink the amount of water you lose. Don’t overdo it. And if you do need to hydrate quickly in the sun – for example if you’re running a marathon – speak with a professional about the options of preventing dehydration by drinking sports drinks with electrolytes.
Further Reading: Kids Health – 10 Reasons Children Should Wear Sunglasses
Skin Cancer
One of the long-term consequences of too much sun exposure is skin cancer.
Overexposure to the sun without protection can make skin cancer more likely. Watch out for any changes in your skin that could indicate skin cancer, including unusual or changing moles. If caught early, skin cancer can be treated well with mole removal and other treatments. But it’s best to do everything you can to prevent skin cancer from occurring in the first place. As well as just avoiding sunburn, making a point to avoid tanning will help protect your skin from cancer too.
Photo by Bianca Ackermann
Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke
Spending too much time in the sun without taking care of yourself could lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. When your body temperature rises above its natural temperature, it can lead to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and in more serious cases can cause heatstroke. It’s vital to take steps to stay hydrated and keep cool. Avoid the things that can make heat exhaustion and heatstroke more likely, such as alcohol and caffeine use.
Getting too much sun could cause a number of health issues. Make sure you take care of yourself in the sun to prevent these problems.
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