By Frangiska Mylona,
Summer is the season deeply connected with three things: the sea, ice creams, and vacations. Most people spend their summer on the beach swimming or sunbathing and enjoying their time. However, it is not uncommon to hear about sunburns or more serious complications just because people are not very cautious about their time spent on the beach. Below are some tips to enjoy the sea and be confident everything will run smoothly.
During the summer, the main focus should be on hydration. Especially in areas with high temperatures, it is imperative to stay hydrated. Dehydration symptoms range from thirst to dizziness and and, in severe cases, collapse and death. Serious consequences are not easy to achieve. If there is no café or beach bar near the beach, a convenient solution is to bring water bottles from your home. A nice way to maintain them fresh, without carrying a portable cooler, is to freeze the bottles overnight and let them dry during the day. This will keep them cold and ready to enjoy.
The next step should be to protect the skin. The sun may tan your skin, giving it an attractive chocolate shade, but it can also cause sunburns. Ultraviolet radiation or UV is released naturally by the sun. There are three types of UV rays however the third one is blocked by the Ozone layer. The other two known as UVB and UVA can cause sunburns and penetrate the skin causing aging. One type of cancer that can occur from UV radiation is skin melanoma. Prophylaxis includes sunscreen, especially those with a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF) which is the measure of sunscreen protection against the sun. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours by applying a moderate amount. To treat sunburns, there are many treatments such as cooling the skin with a towel immersed in water, applying soothing creams, and drinking water to prevent dehydration. Also, if the pain is severe, painkillers are advised like Ibuprofen or gel pain relievers. In case of a fever over 39,4 degrees Celsius along with vomiting and infection in the sunburned area and confusion, immediate medical care should be given. Apart from wearing sunscreen, try to take sunglasses, a hat and bring an umbrella in case of need. Also, one interesting fact is that the best time to visit the sea is early in the morning or late in the evening. UV radiation is at its highest during 10 am and 4 pm, so it is ideal to avoid these hours when visiting the sea. Moreover, try to wear light-colored clothes to avoid absorbing much energy from the light.
There is a known concern regarding whether someone should go for a swim after eating a decent amount of food before swimming. The theory behind this concept is that there is increased blood flow to the stomach and intestines to absorb nutrients during digestion. This means less blood to deliver oxygen and remove waste products from exercising muscles. However, many scientists have debunked this theory stating that there is no danger and no documented deaths attributed to anyone swimming on a full stomach. In fact, some sources even suggest snacks or types of food to eat before swimming for energy. These include yogurt, Pretzels, and fruits. However, no one can deny that swimming with a full stomach is more difficult.
One of the common problems encountered while swimming is jellyfish stings. There is a possibility to swim near jellyfish and get stung by their tentacles that can inject venom. In the meantime, there are some steps you can take to ease the pain before medical care arrives. Pluck visible tentacles with fine tweezers, and then soak the skin in hot water and continue to soak until the pain eases, which might take up to 20-45 minutes. Then it is advised to apply 0.5% to 1% hydrocortisone cream or ointment twice a day to the affected skin. However, medical care and advice should always be sought, especially when the area affected is highly sensitive, such as the eyes.
Another example would be stepping on a sea urchin. Sea urchin stings are painful. They often leave puncture wounds on the skin, which can easily become infected if not treated immediately. The stung area may become red and swollen with the puncture site often leaving a blue-black bruised appearance. Some species may release venom from their sea urchin spines known as pedicellariae. The treatment is almost the same as the one with the jellyfish, including removing the spikes with tweezers and using painkillers and hydrocortisone creams. It is also imperative to seek medical treatment especially when the symptoms are severe.
The last thing is to avoid drinking seawater and this is something well-known for not doing it. Apart from affecting cells and organs like the kidneys, it also contains human waste and waste from organisms living underwater. Even death can occur if someone only drinks sea water even after three days!
In summary, summer is synonymous with swimming and heading to the beach. However, some precautions should be taken for everyone to enjoy a safe and enjoyable summer on the beach.
