19-06-2025
#HEALTH: Hot weather brings higher risk of skin and respiratory illnesses
A RISE in allergies and skin conditions can be expected during the current hot spell.
When temperatures rise, skin becomes very dry and itchy and sometimes, a scratch may cause a wound that develops into a skin infection, explains Prince Court Medical Centre deputy medical director and consultant emergency physician, Accident and Emergency Department, Dr Siva Perumal.
Fungal infections may also be more prevalent as the extreme humidity causes us to sweat profusely, he explains.
Some organisms are also predominantly active during the hot season, giving rise to respiratory illnesses.
One of these is Aspergillosis, which spreads during a hot spell, resulting in symptoms such as cough and fever.
Dengue is also quite common during hot weather, says Dr Siva. This is mainly due to the increased presence of stagnant water.
"During hot weather, it may rain for a while and then there will be no rain for a few days, so stagnant water is everywhere and this encourages the breeding of mosquitoes."
VULNERABLE GROUPS
The most vulnerable groups during a hot spell and those more likely to face heat-related illness are children and the elderly.
"With children, their body surface area is larger than their volume and they tend to lose a lot of water through sweat as they are very active, and this makes them vulnerable to heat-related illness.
"With the elderly, many of them have pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure," says Dr Siva.
Senior citizens may also be on medication (diuretics) which cause them to urinate more. Their water intake is also generally less and coupled with the hot season, this puts them at risk.
HEATSTROKE
Heatstroke is dangerous and can be fatal. One of the key factors in preventing and managing heatstroke is recognising the stages of the condition and its early symptoms.
The first stage is "heat cramps". says Dr Siva, and symptoms include cramps in the legs or limbs when one has been out in the sun for some time.
The second stage is "heat exhaustion", when a person starts to experience nausea or vomiting and feel like they may faint.
The third and final stage is heatstroke itself, where people become unconscious, says Dr Siva and first aid needs to be administered immediately.
While heatstroke can be fatal, if first aid is administered and the person taken to hospital immediately, it can be reversed.
However, it is crucial to recognise the early signs/stages so it doesn't progress. During the first stage, children, for example, may complain of tiredness or pain in their legs and become less active. In infants, their urine output would be reduced and parents may notice this when changing their diaper.
The elderly may complain of tiredness and their blood pressure would be lower than normal when monitored.
PREVENTION
During a hot spell, it's advisable to prevent children from playing in direct sunlight or indulging in outdoor activities which keep them in the sun for too long, advises Dr Siva.
"Parents need to keep providing liquids at regular intervals and also foods that have a high water content so children stay hydrated."
Fruits like watermelon and cool salads are good options. For adults, avoid consuming a lot of meat, caffeine and alcohol, as it increases metabolism and consequently body temperature.
For those who regularly exercise, it's important to do so in the early morning or late evening to avoid the heat and to hydrate oneself before, during and after a workout.
HEATSTROKE - TAKE ACTION
When a person becomes unconscious as a result of heatstroke, take these steps immediately:
*Move the individual to a cool place
*Loosen their clothing
*Apply ice on their forehead, armpit and neck or spray them with cold water and put them under a fan
*Take them to the hospital
