As parts of the UK record their hottest temperatures of 2023 and the summer holidays are fast approaching, we’ve teamed up with Pharmacy2U to share some tips on how you can stay safe and hydrated in the warm weather in the UK and abroad.

Phil Day, Superintendent Pharmacist at Pharmacy2U says it’s important to remember how heat can affect our everyday health.

For the chronically unwell, elderly, or very young, extreme heat can pose significant health risks and it’s best to know how to keep you and your family safe in very hot weather.

One of the key pieces of advice is to stay indoors or in the shade, particularly between the hottest hours of 11am and 3pm. A lot of the best advice may seem like common sense, but often we underestimate the effects of heat on our bodies.

Health issues caused by heat waves include dehydration and/or overheating, heat exhaustion, heatstroke and sunstroke. Heat exhaustion, heatstroke and sunstroke are illnesses that can occur in more severe circumstances.

Find out more on the issues that can arise and tips on how you can stay safe during the hot weather.

Health Issues and the Signs

Dehydration

Dehydration is when your body loses more fluids than you take in. Symptons of dehydration in adults and children include: feeling thirsty, dark yellow, stron-smelling pee, peeing less often than usual, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, feeling tired, a dry mouth, lips and tongue and/or sunken eyes.

Find out more on dehydration on the NHS website.

How to keep cool and protect yourself…

1. Stay hydrated: consume cold drinks regularly, ideally water, and avoid tea, coffee and alcohol as these can further dehydrate the body.

2. Cool water: regular cool baths or showers, or splashing your face with cold water, are other useful ways of keeping cool.

3. Clothing: try to wear lightweight, light coloured and loose clothing. Loose fitting clothing will allow air circulation around your body and light coloured fabrics will reflect the light and heat. Try to also choose natural fabrics such as cotton and linen as these are better at letting your skin breathe.

4. Shade yourself: make an effort to stay out of the sun, but if you must go outside, wear a hat as well as sunglasses to protect your eyes and face.

5. Protect your skin: always remember to apply sun cream with an SPF of at least 30, even if the sky is cloudy as UV rays can still pass through and cause damage to your skin

6. Rest: if it is really hot, try to avoid doing any strenuous activity that can cause your body to increase in temperature even further. If you or someone else feels unwell, find somewhere cool to rest and drink plenty of water.

7. Medical assistance: most importantly, always seek medical help if symptoms such as breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, weakness, dizziness or cramps get worse, or don’t go away.

Travel Insurance 

Travel Insurance remains as important as ever especially for those travelling to hot countries or who may have pre-existing medical conditions.

Having an adequate Travel Insurance policy will cover you should the unexpected happen such as falling ill on holiday, including heat related health issues.

At Just Travel Cover all their Travel Insurance policies cover you for emergency medical care whilst abroad, and as long as they have been declared any pre-existing medical conditions that you may have.

Not only that, working with a panel of insurers allows them to compare prices with three levels of cover available bronze, silver and gold with no upper age limit.  

Get your medication for your holiday through Pharmacy2U

If you have an NHS repeat prescription, then Pharmacy2U can help.

We’ll make sure you receive your medication in plenty of time before your holiday, with free delivery to your door and hand reminders so you can re-order.

Our simple service lets you order your prescription from anywhere and registration is quick and simple.