General Tips Sun Burn and Moles
- Shower regularly with Luke warm water and cold water sponge.
- One can use calamine lotion or general soothing creams on sore skin
- Do not use rubbing alcohol/surgical spirit as it can cause chemical burns.
- Stop smoking (causes dehydration) or try not to smoke.
- Drink plenty of water at least 2-3 litres daily to prevent dehydration.
- Don’t drink alcohol (it causes dehydration)
- Regularly use and change wet sheets and towels. This will help you to cool down.
- In small area of sunburn use cool wet wraps/towels.
- Cover up with cotton clothing, hats and wrap around sunglasses.
- Never use sun beds or Tanning beds under the age of 18 or if prone to skin burning.
- Never go out during the hottest time of the day 11am 3pm if sunburn exposed to high temperatures and sun.
- If too hot outside then shut windows and use shades on windows, and/or draw curtains, open windows when cooler.
- One should have light -coloured curtains and plastic blinds (not dark coloured thick curtains and not metallic blinds) as these store less heat and help to keep the room cooler.
- Listen to radio, social media and T.V alerts on hot weather.
- Stay in the coolest parts of the building and room.
- Make sure others know where you are so once can check on you, or you check on them if vulnerable to heat exhaustion/stroke particularly a person with a condition i.e heart patients stroke patients , less mobile patients, obese patients , pregnant patients , parkinson patients , dementia patients diabetics patients, young, elderly, patients who take medication to control fever and sweating.
- If have swollen ankles rest your feet up, do not stand.
- Always check your skin for moles at least 4 times a year.
Look out for signs of heat exhaustion (If so seek medical advice)
Signs of heat exhaustion
- High temperature 38 degrees or above?
- Headache?
- Dizziness?
- Breathing difficulties/short of breath?
- Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting?
- Diarrhoea?
- Cramps in stomach and/or arms and/or legs?
- Heavy sweating , clammy skin and/or pale skin?
- Thirsty?
- Babies and Children: Watch out for floppiness and/or extreme tiredness and/or sleepiness?
Please do not wait, call for an ambulance, if patient is not cooling down within 30 minutes if measures below are taken
- Move them to a cool place i.e shade or cold room
- Lie patient down and raise their feet slightly.
- drink sips of plain water for rehydration.
- Cool the skin – spray water or use a wet cool water sponge/towel.
- Stay with patient for 30 min to monitor if cooling down.
- Look out for signs of heat exhaustion (If so seek medical advice), If heat exhaustion is occurring and one is not cooling down with in and/or getting worse within 30 mins then it may be heat stroke.
Signs of Heat Stroke
- Fever not cooling or calming down after 30 mins
- Sudden rise in temperature
- Headache
- Confusion
- Convulsions
- Aggression
- Loss of consciousness
- Constant nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Increased/extreme thirst
- Dehydration symptoms
What to do if an emergency?
- Call emergency services
- While waiting increase ventilation, open windows or use a fan.
- Cool them down by loosening clothing or wrap them in a damp sheet or sprinkle them with cool water
- If conscious give them water to drink.
Skin tips to help with irritated skin
1. Lather up
Use a shower gel to remove dirt and grime to prevent your skin pores clogging up. The skin needs to have clearer pores so that oils form the skin can escape.
Please note- frequent showering or using soaps can cause dry skin and leaving the skin tight, try to use a product with a moistening agent that will hydrate the skin.
Eczema/dry skin/irritated skin/Psoriasis conditions:
2. Exfoliate
The top layer of the skin continues to renew itself and sheds dead cells, the dead cells need to be removed to prevent blocked pores and hence achieve a brighter, smother and softer skin. One should buff their skin a few times a week.
Products are available to gently remove and polish away dead skin.
Eczema/dry skin/Irritated skin/Psoriasis/Sunburnt skin or Damaged (wound skin) conditions:
- Those with theses skin conditions should use very mild products as standard exfoliates as ‘normal’ and ‘ perfumed’ exfoliates can badly damage the skin and that can lead to a skin infection (avoid using exfoliate mitts, gloves and loof as on affected areas).
3. Moisturise
The skin is prone to get dry and dehydration especially the face as it has fewer oil glands.
Products contain humectants and occlusives which help soften and smooth the skin and used daily will help to improve the appearance of the skin and improve skin function.
Eczema/dry skin/irritated skin/Psoriasis skin conditions:
4. Hands
Hands are constantly exposed to skin damage and are often overlooked.
Products to be used should be SPF moisturisers to protect again sun damage, antioxidant creams to reduce free radical damage as well as lather, exfoliate and moisturises to maintain a young looking appearance.
Eczema/dry skin/irritated skin/Psoriasis skin conditions:
Natural treatments and tips (DR Axe)
