As the weather warms up, sun safety should be at the forefront of your mind. Negative reactions to the heat can come on suddenly and unexpectedly. Protect yourself from the harmful effects by looking out for the following warning signs.
Headache
Pay attention to what your body is telling you- especially when you’ve been out in the sun for extended periods of time. One of the biggest indicators of too much sun is when you feel yourself getting a headache. This symptom is not to be taken lightly as it’s a symptom for both heat exhaustion and heatstroke. If you feel off in any way, you should seek shade immediately.
Abnormal Pulse
Too much sun can cause your pulse to become erratic. When dealing with heat exhaustion, your pulse will be rapid yet weak. However, when you’re experiencing heatstroke, your pulse will be a faster than normal and strong. Monitor yourself carefully if you’ve been out in the sun for a long period of time. If you’re unsure of how to do so, you can find instructions here.
Excessive Sweating
Our bodies produce sweat as a way to cool ourselves down when we’re hot. It’s a great system; however, it does mean that your body is secreting moisture at an alarming rate. When you’re excessively sweating, it’s likely that you’ll feel the effects of dehydration faster. Sweating profusely is also a sign of heat exhaustion.
Bright Red Skin
If your skin is bright red, warm to the touch and painful, you most likely have a sunburn. When you notice your skin is bright red, it’s a great time to move into a shaded area. Get yourself out of direct sunlight to save yourself from worsening burns.
Extreme Thirst
If you’re feeling extremely thirsty after a long period in the sun, it’s a good indication that you’ve had enough. An article written by Tehrene Firman for womansday.com explains, “One of the easiest ways to tell your body is starting to overheat is paying attention to when your body is trying to cool itself down — which begins with the urge to chug some H2O.”Heat-related illnesses develop in stages and start with thirst,” Dr. Hawthorne says. “By the time you feel thirsty, you’re already mildly dehydrated. It’s important to start drinking water right away to prevent more serious illnesses.”
Weak/Fatigued
If you’ve been out in the sun for a long period of time and find yourself feeling weak or fatigued, it’s time to pack it in. Extreme fatigue is a sign of heat exhaustion and one that you should take seriously. Overall weakness is a sign of oncoming heat exhaustion as well. Don’t write off your symptoms. Don’t try to be tough about it. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
It’s important to listen to your body especially when you’re spending an extended period of time in the sun. Stay safe by keeping an eye out for the above mentioned warning signs.