Weather in Dubai – Heat: Beat It, Treat It

The sun may shine brighter in Dubai, but that also means it shines HOTTER. Sherry Tenorio shares some tips on beating the extra fierce heat this season.

In Dubai, summer sizzles with temperatures averaging 42-45 degree Celsius in the morning till afternoon, then around 36-40 degree Celsius in the evening. Evenings are hot and humid and the days are hardly any different, causing your body’s temperature regulating systems to come close to over heating. We’ve put together some tips to put the lid on the sizzling heat with our Beat It, Treat It Guide.

Beat: Dehydration

We’ve been taught time and again that drinking eight glasses of water is a must. Yet, we often overlook this basic health tip. The summer heat can cause excessive sweating, and insufficient water intake can lead to dehydration. Once dehydrated, you can also experience lightheadedness, weakness, vomiting and nausea.

Treat:

Fluid replacement is the main treatment to dehydration. Take in generous amounts of water, clear broths or power drinks such as Gatorade.

Beat: Sunburn

Spend too much time under the sun and you might get burned, literally. Sunburn characterized by redness, pain, and blistering is most common during the season and while it certainly, won’t kill you, the pain and discomfort should be enough reason to avoid it. Besides, you won’t be able to wear those maxi dresses, halter tops if you’re going to expose a nasty sunburned back and/or shoulders. Furthermore, longterm regular indiscriminate sun exposure increases one’s risk of developing skin cancer. So beware of the sun!

Treat:

Prevention is the key to avoiding sunburn. Cover your skin with creams or lotions with SPF (sun protection factor) of 30+. Better yet cover yourself, and avoid staying outdoors for long periods of time. But if you’re already nursing a sunburn, use aloe-based lotions to soothe the skin. A cool compress would work too. Plus, remember to avoid scrubbing or rubbing the skin.

Beat: Heat rash

Resembling tiny pimples, heat rash appears as small red spots on skin. They come with a prickly stinging sensation. Babies are especially prone to heat rash if they are dressed in clothes that are too warm for the weather. Severe forms of heat rash can influence the body’s heat-regulating mechanism, resulting in fever or heat exhaustion.

Treat:

Normally, a heat rash would heal on its own. To relieve symptoms, keep the skin cool and dry. Do not use ointments and lotions that might just irritate the skin further. Dress in loose comfortable clothing that won’t get you hot.

Beat: Heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Walking to and from the different Metro Stations, running around Safa Park and languorously walking around the Dubai Creek can leave you panting. Overexposure to the sun, even through these normal activities can result to heat exhaustion. Headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and fainting as well as heat cramps and dark-colored urine are charactertistic of heat exhaustation, which if left untreated may progress to a potentially life-threatening heat stroke.

Heat stroke (also known as sun stroke)

Heat stroke which results from strenuous physical activity in hot environments, coupled with insufficient fluid and electrolyte intake is potentially fatal. Heat stroke occurs when the body is unable to cool down, the sweating mechanism fails and the body’s temperature rises rapidly. Common symptoms of heat stroke are a body temperature of 40 °C or higher, lack of sweating, hot and dry skin, a rapid heartbeat and difficulty in breathing. Other signs include disorientation and confusion, hallucinations and strange behavior as well as possible delirium or coma.

Treat:

Heat strokes require immediate and proper medical attention. For first aid purposes, better keep the affected person in a shady area, remove clothing, apply cool or tepid water to the skin, fan the victim, and place ice packs under the armpits and on the groin.

Prevention is always better than cure

The risk of heat-related illnesses can be reduced if proper precautions are taken and overheating and dehydration is avoided. Check out some of these practical and easy tips!

Getting shady

• Minimize the heat and sun exposure, especially in the summer months.
• Stay in the shade as much as possible and take advantage of air conditioned or cool places.
• Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.

Getting physical

• Avoid intense physical activity, especially in high temperature environments and under direct sun exposure.
• Try to rest as much as possible and get sufficient sleep at night.

Eating and drinking right

• Drink plenty of liquids, like water, natural juices or sport drinks, to replace fluid lost from sweating.
• Drink even if you are not thirsty and avoid coffee, cola and alcoholic beverages.
• Eat salty meals in the summer to replace salt lost in sweat, but avoid eating heavy meals.

Keeping it light with the right clothes

• Wear light, loose fitting clothing which supports evaporation of sweat and avoids hyperthermia.
• Wear a hat to protect yourself from direct sun exposure.