Even healthy people can feel poorly in the heat and humidity so this predicted very hot Summer’s day of 41°c in Melbourne may feel even worse for cancer patients.
This is a great reason to spend time indoors and remember to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate keeping fluids on-hand. Make every effort to stay cool, and understand that the combination of sunlight, heat, and medications may cause photosensitivity reactions to occur quickly, possibly more quickly than you expect.
Tips for surviving this hot day :
- Keep water bottles handy so you can always stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids and avoid too much alcohol. Remember your Hydralyte in Kit to replenish your body’s electrolytes.
- Try to stay in an air-conditioned space or limit the amount of time you are exposed to heat.
- If you have to venture out, use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply it often. A recommendation by your medical team of which sunscreen to use is a good idea for sensitive skin.
- Protect your head. If you’ve lost your hair due to chemotherapy, wear a hat.
- Dress for sun protection, and bring portable shade such as an umbrella if possible.
- Knowing a chair is nearby in case you start to feel overheated or weak.
Stay alert to warning signs so you can take action immediately and get indoors when you need to. If you have any symptoms such as muscle cramps, trouble breathing, confusion, fever, seizures, nausea, or vomiting, seek medical care immediately.
#heat #hotday #hydrate #indoors #cancer #kitforcancer #TheKitFoundation