Awareness can help protect from heat waves

Country’s people are experiencing a sizzling heat in this summer. 40.4 degrees Celsius temperature was recorded in Dhaka on April 15 in 2023, making it the hottest day in the last 58 years, while the season’s highest temperature of 42.2 degrees Celsius was recorded in Chuadanga.

Heat is a silent killer. People, specially who work outdoors, are facing challenges to continue working under the intense heat of the sun and suffering from heat-related problems.

Heat waves cause many problems like skin rash and sunburn. Rash is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot, humid weather. It can appear to be a pimple or small blisters anywhere on the body. People may experience uncomfortable, itchy, burning, or prickly sensations. People should avoid leaking rash spots and wet rash with water to soothe.

People can use high quality sunscreens to protect themselves from rash. If you face more problems, you should take advices from doctors.

Sunburn is skin reddening which is caused by overexposure to direct sunlight and UV radiation. Years of overexposure can lead to many diseases and problems.  The best way to eliminate sunburn is to limit your exposure to direct sunlight, cover your skin, wear protective eyewear and use a sunscreen.

Very hot weather causes dehydration which reduces amount of minerals in our bodies. Dehydration causes muscle disorder which is called cramps. We should keep water, juice and saline with us during hot weathers.     

People may suffer heat strokes at that time. A heat stroke may have serious impacts on brain, kidney and heart. So, people should avoid activities under direct sun for long to avert heat strokes. You have to take steps if your body’s temperature reaches 103-104 degree Fahrenheit. In this time, patients should be taken to doctors and hospitals.

During heat waves, people should wear lightweight cotton clothes which can help allow air to circulate around the body, keep it cool and absorb sweat. We also should use umbrella, cap and sunglass at that time.

People should avoid spicy foods, high protein and overloading stomach and take those foods which are digested easily.