Beat the heat

We give you some tips to shield yourself from the scorching sun and cool off this summer

Summer is here! It's the perfect season to gorge on mangoes, take that much-needed break and simply take off with your friends and family. But it's also the time when you feel icky and sweaty and are prone to sickness, thanks to the rising temperature. We give you some tips to shield yourself from the scorching sun and cool off this summer.

1) Sip and bite:

What to do:

According to nutritionist Naini Setalvad, drink lots of water and aam panna to beat the heat. Water melons, yoghurt, cumin seeds (jeera), cucumber and raw mangoes and white gourd (dudhi) help to cool off your body.

Avoid:

Avoid fried stuff like chips, wafers, junk food, white flour, sugar, spicy gravies, eggs, red meat, bajri and makai as they increase the body temperature. Setalvad recommends jowar, wheat and rice as they are safer options.

2) Health and about:

Summer is the time when you are most prone to viral infections. Radiation oncologist and general physician Dr Sindhu Nair says, "The viruses that can commonly cause infections in the summer include stomach bug and respiratory bugs. Mosquito-borne infections like malaria and dengue are also common."

What to do:

According to Dr Nair, since most of the infections spread by feaco-oral route, it's best to follow your mama's simple rules like washing your hands before eating food, avoiding sharing food or drinks with infected individuals. If you stay in an area where malaria and dengue are common, use an insect repellent and wear light-coloured clothing.

3) Skin matters

Thanks to the scorching sun, your once flawless complexion is now oily and itchy. But you don't have to feel like an oil pot. Here are some common skin ailments and solutions to combat these infections.

a) Skin tan and burn

According to cosmetic dermatologist and laser surgeon Dr Apratim Goel, the ultra-violet radiation burns through the outer layer of skin leading to red patches and itching. "Fair skinned people get more sun burn whereas those with a darker complexion get more tanned."

Solution:

Apply a sunscreen of minimum 25 SPF or a calamine lotion during the day. Be safe yet trendy - use umbrella, hats and broad-rimmed sun glasses.

b) Prickly heat

Dr Goel says, "Excessive sweating and increased dead cell turnover blocks the sweat glands and causes 'prickly heat'. This is most common in the folds of the skin where the sweat accumulates."

Solution: Have cool showers, wear loose clothes, use a talcum powder after a bath and apply calamine lotion on the rashes.

c) Fungal infections

"This is common in hot and humid weather. The fungus thrives in the humid weather and areas where there is less aeration like folds of the skin especially for people who wear tight clothing and shoes the whole day," says Dr Goel.

Solution:
Have a shower more often, use an anti-fungal dusting powder after a bath and apply an anti-fungal cream.

Apart from these, you can also dig into your kitchen cabinet for those handy home remedies to hydrate and cool your skin.

• Mix one part skimmed milk with four parts of water, toss in some ice cubes and soak a cloth in the mixture. Place the cloth on your sunburned skin for 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat after every two to four hours, suggests Dr Goel. Your skin will look visibly clearer.

• Take the juice of half an orange and one tablespoon of soft granulated sugar. Add the orange juice to the sugar. Splash water on your face. Use your palms to gently scrub the mixture on the skin. Rinse off, pat dry and moisturise your skin. You will be left with baby soft, clear skin.