The sun and heat
Even when we have enough food and water, we can succumb if we ignore the effect that the physical environment may cause us and don’t prepare for it. The cold and heat can cause a number of, often lethal, disorders in us. We must know them in order to prevent them and, in the worst cases, identify and treat them. If the disorder is serious, we must attempt taking the person to a professional.
Sun and heat
If we don’t take shelter from the sun and heat we may suffer different types of disorders, some of which, we don’t perceive until the damage is done. Others, such as cramps at the limbs and abdomen, are symptoms that should warn us of other much more serious alterations, such as heat fatigue.
Sun burns
As we have mentioned before, sun burns do not manifest until we are already brunt. In addition, if a fresh breeze is blowing we will take longer to realize we were burnt. Ultraviolet rays, which cause the burns, shine through the clouds, so we shouldn’t trust the sun even in overcast days. In snowy areas, at the sea or in deserts the sun rays reflect on the snow, water and sand respectively, increasing the effect of the sun.
St. Johns Wort
It is ideal avoid burning by not exposing yourself to the sun especially when Radiation is more intense, between 12 pm and 4 pm. Wearing a large hat, scarf to protect the neck if necessary and covering the arms and legs as well as using sun block in uncovered areas of the body.
If you are traveling in risk areas, carry a high factor sun block, 15 or more and a burn cream.
If for any reason sun block is not available, we must cover ourselves. We can improvise a protector with coconut oil obtained by leaving the pulp under the sun. We can also burn coral, grind it and make a lotion by mixing it with water or oil.
The burns manifest with redness, increase of skin temperature and pain in the burnt area, in the most severe cases, chills and headaches can manifest. We must avoid relapsing in order to not worsen the problem. If we do not have a burn ointment we can use Aloe Vera juice. We can also apply St John’s wort oil, which is obtained by letting the flowers macerate in oil for a few days. Primula can also be used to prepare a burn lotion.
