Summer in Qatar: Health Concerns and Tips for Self-Care

Sun’s out, fun’s out. That is the general theme of summer. However, that may not be the case everywhere. With global warming having a negative impact on the four seasons of the year, it is obvious that the summer months are the most difficult in any part of the world.

When it comes to summer in Qatar, we are not talking about a minor inconvenience but months of potential health hazards. Summer in Qatar lasts from June to August where the average temperature ranges from 29°C to 41°C. It is especially harsh during July and August when wind easing and humidity is at an all time high.

The potential health issues during summer in Qatar are as follows:

• Heat stroke

• Sunburn

• Fungal infections

• Dehydration

With a little precaution and preparation, all of the above health issues can be treated. In fact, a little bit of awareness about the potential risks of summer health issues will go a long way in getting you through the worst of the summer months. After all, prevention is better than a cure.

In this article, we will talk about summer health tips/preventions and how one can take care of themselves for the whole season.

How to Identify and Treat Heatstroke

A heat stroke is a heat-related illness that happens when the body absorbs more heat than it is supposed to. It can cause body temperature to skyrocket to dangerous levels, usually above 40°C. 

While the latest statistics for heat stroke-related cases in Qatar are hard to come by, it was reported that at least 1372 heat-related injuries were reported among migrant workers in 2019. In 2022, due to stringent measures to protect the populace from heat-related injuries, hospital admissions for the same decreased by 58% in 2022. However, heatstroke continues to be a public health concern for authorities.

Do keep in mind that there are two types of heatstroke:

1. Exertional Heat Stroke:

It is caused by exerting heavy physical activity in hot and humid conditions. It is the common type of heat stroke among workers, athletes or individuals exerting themselves in an open environment with little to no shade to cover them. 

2. Classic (Non-Exertional) Heat Stroke:

Physical activity is not the cause of this type of heat stroke but rather prolonged exposure to high temperatures in poorly ventilated environments.

Heatstroke can be easily prevented and treated. You just have to watch out for the signs. 

So what are the telltale signs of a heatstroke?

• High internal (core) body temperature, typically over 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius)
• Behavior changes -  agitation or aggression
• Blurred vision
• Confusion
• Delirium
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Fast heart rate
• Fast, shallow breathing
• Low blood pressure
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seizures
• Slurred speech
• Skin color changes  - either flushed or paler than usual
• Skin that’s dry (classic heat stroke) or sweaty (exertional heat stroke)
• Weakness
  

So how does one prevent heat stroke? 

There are several tips one can keep in mind to prevent heatstroke

• Keep your home cool
• Stay hydrated, drink plenty of fluids
• Avoid as much heat exposure as possible
• Identify places or situations where you can cool down
  

But what to do when a case of heat stroke actually happens

• Move the person to a cool area
• Pour water on the person or use anything to cool them
• Soak a towel in ice or use a sponge to apply on the burnt patch of skin
• Apply ice or cold packs around the armpits and neck
  

While the above points are important, it is also necessary to keep in mind what you must not do. 

• Do not administer medications as they might induce fever or worse and certainly do not administer fluids immediately. This may seem odd but chances are that the person may inhale the liquid accidently, which poses a major risk to the life of the person affected.
• So in such situations it is prudent to administer Eveline D-Panthenol After Sun Cooling Body Gel and the Pocari Sweat Powder.
• The Eveline D-Panthenol After Sun Cooling Body Gel helps provide instant relief for the burnt skin due to its aloe vera extract. It repairs the skin and prevents it from peeling off.
• The Pocari Sweat Powder, on the other hand restores essential electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium, which help restore the body's fluid balance lost due to excessive sweating.

How to Identify and Treat Dehydration 

Dehydration is the condition where the body cannot perform basic functions due to a severe lack of fluids. While dehydration is dangerous for anyone, it is older adults and children who are at a greater risk.

Symptoms of dehydration:

Do keep in mind that there are no reliable early indicators of dehydration, but there are tell-tale signs which are different in adults and children. Watching out for these signs is the first step.

Signs of dehydration in children:

• Dry mouth and tongue
• No tears when crying
• No wet diapers for three hours
• Sunken eyes, cheeks
• Sunken soft spot on top of the skull
• Listlessness or irritability 
  

Signs of dehydration in adults:

• Extreme thirst
• Less frequent urination
• Dark-colored urine
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Confusion
  

How to Prevent Dehydration in Summer:

In case if someone is suffering from exhaustion, dry mouth or any other symptom listed above then the following precautions can be taken.

• Observe the urine color, if it is of a darker yellow color, then more fluid intake is needed.
• Avoid soda, alcohol and caffeinated drinks
• Consume fluids full of electrolytes
• Consume as much as fluid every 10 to 15 minutes spent outside.
• Consume hydrating fruits and vegetables like watermelon and cucumber respectively.
  

In case of an event of dehydration be sure to keep in mind the following steps to be taken:

• Move the afflicted person to a cool area.
• Increase fluid intake
• Use Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS) - We would recommend the ORS New Orange 10 Sachets For 200ml as it contains an optimal balance of glucose and electrolytes to restore fluids almost instantly.
• Speaking of which, consume drinks abundant in electrolytes, with minerals such as sodium, potassium and glucose. The Leolyte Oral Maintenance Solution Fruit 237ml is the right choice over here as it has the perfect blend of all three in an easy-to-consume packet and can rehydrate your body at a faster rate. 

How to Identify and Treat Sunburn?

Sunburn is a condition where the skin becomes inflamed and painful, becoming hot to touch. It occurs when an individual spends too much time out in the sun.

The severity of sunburn is determined by the degree of damage done to the skin. Which is why there are two types of sunburns:

• First degree sunburn damages the outer layer of the skin, but can be healed in a matter of days to a week by taking basic precautions.
• Second-degree sunburn damages the middle section of the skin to the point of developing blisters. It may take weeks to heal the skin.
• Third degree sunburn is actually rare but it is the most dangerous of the type as it can destroy fat layers and even cause nerve damage.
  

Applying sunscreen is the one of the most common and time tested methods of preventing sunscreen and prevents the worst symptoms of sunburn from occurring.

That being said, all three degrees of sunburn are easy to spot. Some of the common symptoms are:

Symptoms of sunburn

First-degree sunburn symptoms are as follows:

• Redness on lighter skin (Harder to spot in people with a darker skin tone)
• Skin feels hot or tight
• Pain or tenderness
• Swelling
• Peeling skin (after several days)
  

Second degree symptoms are:

• Extreme red skin
• Blisters
• Swelling over a larger area
• Wet-looking skin
• Pain
• White discoloration within the burn
• Dizziness
• Fever
• Exhaustion
  

Third degree sunburn symptoms are as follows:

• Leathery-looking burn
• Numb skin
• White or dull skin color
• All the above symptoms that are found in first and second degree sunburn
  

How to prevent sunburn: 

There are several way to prevent the worst effects of sunburn they are as follows:

• Using sunglasses that filter UV rays
• Wear a hat when outside
• Wear protective clothing with long sleeves
• Apply broad spectrum sunscreen every 90 minutes

First aid for sunburn:

The following steps can be taken to provide first aid in the event of a sunburn:

• Take a pain reliever
• Cool the skin
• Apply a cooling gel or moisturiser
• Drink extra water for a day
• Leave blisters alone
• Apply a soothing medicated cream
  

  We recommend the following moisturisers and creams in the event of an emergency:

• Bepanthen Moisturizing Cream

  Contains Dexpanthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), which helps repair damaged skin.

• Eveline 99% Natural Aloe Vera Body & Face Gel

  With a pure aloe vera extract, it delivers instant cooling, soothes redness, and promotes skin healing.

• Coolex Burn Relief Spray

  Coolex Burn Relief Spray is a cooling antiseptic spray that provides immediate relief from pain and irritation while preventing infection in sunburned skin.

• La Roche-Posay Anthelios Fresh SPF 50 Invisible Mist

  It offers broad-spectrum protection to prevent further UV damage while allowing the skin to breathe.

• Soskin Sun Protection Fluid SPF50+ (50ml)

  It is a non-greasy, high-protection sunscreen ideal for sensitive skin, ensuring effective defense against UVA/UVB rays.

How to Identify and Treat Fungal Skin Infections?

A fungal infection occurs when fungi invades the skin causing redness, itchiness and discomfort. Fungal infection is common during the summer, when excessive humidity, sweating and prolonged exposure to heat creates the perfect conditions for fungal infections.

Types of fungal infection common during the summer are:

• Athlete's foot: A common fungal infection affecting the foot and found mainly in athletes due to their nature of work. It is caused by excessive sweating, humidity or wearing tight shoes in extreme heat.
• Jock Itch: The jock itch thrives in the moist areas of the body such as the groin and inner thighs. It commonly occurs in warm, moist environments.
• Ringworm: It’s a fungal infection that causes ring-shaped, itchy, and scaly rash on the skin, hair, or nails. Despite the name, it is not caused by worms.
  

Symptoms of fungal infections:

The symptoms of each type of fungal infections are as follows:

• Ringworm: Itchy, raised, ring-shaped lesions with a clear center
• Athlete’s foot: Itching, burning, peeling skin, and foul odor.
• Jock Itch: Red, itchy, ring-shaped rash with a burning sensation
  

How to prevent fungal infections:

• Wear loose fitting clothes of durable material
• Don't walk barefoot in common areas
• Keep the skin dry at all times
• Avoid sharing personal items
• Alternate shoes between three or four days if you are taking part in sports activity on a daily basis
  

First Aid for fungal infection

• Avoid scratching the infected area(s)
• Apply an antifungal cream
• Consult a doctor if conditions worsen
  

When it comes to antifungal creams we would recommend the following:

• Canesten 1% Antifungal Cream (20gm)

Contains Clotrimazole, which is effective against the fungi that cause Athlete’s foot, Jock Itch and Ringworm.

• Lamisil 1% Cream (15gm)

Contains Terbinafine, a fast-acting antifungal that provides long-lasting relief.

Conclusion

Summer in Qatar can be difficult but a little bit of prevention and self-care will go a long way in sailing through the summer months like a breeze. Remember to stay hydrated by keeping a large stock of fluids in handy and in case of emergency situations, always have medicines that can treat heat-related issues on hand.

Visit Care n Cure Pharmacy to stock up on everything you need, from skincare to wellness products, and receive expert advice to stay healthy and protected all season long.