2023-07-20 09:33:15
Summer is a time of certain risk since the sun’s radiation can damage the skin and eyes, while excessive heat, heat waves, can affect the action of certain medications and multiply the risk of dehydration. The General Council of Pharmaceutical Colleges launches a campaign for the population to enjoy a risk-free summer.
In four infographics, Spanish pharmacists review the effects and advice associated with summer, a campaign in which they also recall the potential in health education of the network of 22,198 pharmacies and the more than 55,500 pharmacists who carry out their care work in these health establishments.
Hydration and heat wave
According to Aquilino García, national member of Food of the General Council of Colleges of Pharmacists“extreme heat produces, among other things, significant water losses and makes it difficult for the body to regulate its temperature through mechanisms such as sweating, all of which causes an increase in body temperature, a situation that if it exceeds 40°C and lasts for 10-15 minutes, it can lead to the dreaded heat stroke”.
Depending on the amount of water lost, signs and symptoms occur that warn of the need to act as soon as possible, from thirst or dry mouth, in a first phase; up to dizziness, delusions and even death in the most serious cases.
Infographic General Council of Pharmaceutical Colleges.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) establishes that the daily water needs, in general, are 2 liters for women and 2.5 liters for men, although these amounts will vary depending on their level of physical activity, the environmental conditions at each moment or their physiological state (pregnancy, lactation, old age, etc.).
Thus, they advise:
drink before thirsty: Thirst is an indication of the beginning of dehydration at the body level. It is recommended to take about 150 milliliters every hour, approximately.
Drink water as your main drink, although you can also include other liquid foods such as fruit juices, milk or cold soups, such as gazpacho. In addition, you can consume solid fruits
that provide a large amount of water (melon, watermelon) as they can help to be properly hydrated. All non-alcoholic beverages containing more than 80% water and less than 115mg/100ml sodium (salt) are a good source of hydration. are not recommended alcoholic beverages. Alcohol dehydrates because it facilitates the elimination of water through the urine and increases sweating. He tea and coffee They are not recommended for their exciting nature either. The the elderly, children and infantsBecause of their own characteristics, they require more attention, it is convenient to remind them to drink water every hour.
Eat varied and balanced, especially fruits and vegetables, dividing them throughout the day and in moderate amounts. Hot, heavy and copious meals should be avoided.
protect yourself from the heat avoiding outings and activities in the hottest hours, as well as those that must be done outdoors (walking, running…).
If you need to go outsideLook for shade, cover your head with a cap or hat, and wear light cotton clothing and light colors.
Skin photoprotection
“UVB, UVA, visible light (VIS) and infrared A (IR-A) radiation continue to cause burns, photosensitivity and sun allergies in the short term, and skin photoaging, skin cancer and alteration of the immune system in the long term”, warns the national member of Dermopharmacy, Tomás Muret in relation to the summer advice offered by pharmacists.
Pharmacists explain what types of sunscreens and the phototypes and SPF recommendation there are:
organic (chemicals): they act by absorbing solar radiation.
Organominerales: They are organic filters that, due to the size and arrangement of their particles, in addition to absorbing, they also scatter solar radiation.
inorganic or mineral (physical): they act by dispersion, reflection or refraction of solar radiation.
Biological: They do not really filter solar radiation, they are antioxidant cosmetic ingredients that
they neutralize the harmful effects of solar radiation, counteracting the oxidative damage they cause. Infographic General Council of Pharmaceutical Colleges.
The correct use of sunscreens depending on our customs and skin type, are the best weapon to combat all the dangers for our skin, but also some simple habits will protect us:
Avoid sun exposure in the central hours of the day (between 12 and 16 hours) and prolonged exposures. Uses a fotoprotector adapted to your skin type, even on cloudy days.
apply sunscreen half an hour before the exhibition, and renews his
application every 2 hours, without forgetting any exposed area. Do not use the photoresist once the PAO has been exceeded as it can
reduce its efficacy and safety. The foral otoprotectors are food supplements that protect the skin from oxidative damage
and the degradation of proteins, lipids and DNA of cell structures. The oral photoprotection It never replaces the topical, it complements it to achieve a deeper and more comprehensive sun protection.
moisturize your skin after sun exposure. increases the precautions in children, the elderly and pregnant women. Some medicines (photosensitizers) can interact with solar radiation,
giving rise to photosensitivity or photoallergy reactions: anti-acne; antihistamines; oral contraceptives; antidepressants; diuretics; antiulcer; anti-inflammatories; psychotropic or antihypertensive. Remember that the self tanning creams They do not protect from the sun. go to dermatologist before the appearance or evolution of a mole or freckle.
ocular photoprotection
The eyes can also be damaged if we do not protect them from solar radiation and the damage can appear in all its parts with conditions such as blepharitis on the eyelids; photoconjunctivitis on the conjunctiva; photokeratitis on the cornea; cataracts in the lens; or age-related macular degeneration of the retina.
In addition, there are population groups that are more sensitive to these dangers, such as children, adolescents and the elderly, people with light eyes, cataract surgery, dry eyes, certain allergies or those who spend more time exposed to the sun.
María Isabel de Andrés, national member of Optics and Acoustics of the General Council of Pharmacists write down some of the recommendations to protect the eyes in summer:
Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun especially between 12:00 and 16:00 since the radiation is more direct and, therefore, more harmful.
wear hats wide-brimmed or caps with a visor to cast shade over the eyes or also umbrellas and parasols.
Wear approved sunglasseswith UV filter, throughout the year.
To clean sunglasses, use soap and water. Dirty or abrasive cloths should not be used as they may damage the filters or scratch the lenses. You can also use wet wipes
prepared for this purpose. The Sunglasses They should be stored in their case to prevent filters from being damaged or lenses from being scratched. Do not leave sunglasses in places subject to high temperatures (car glove compartments, on top of a towel in the sun…), because they can deform and alter the lens filters. If you need glasses for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism or presbyopia, they must also bring filtro UV.
To avoid the Dry Eye, you can use artificial tears. Infographic General Council of Pharmaceutical Colleges.
Medicines and heat wave
Another of the tips from pharmacists for the summer alludes to the possible effects of high temperatures is the repercussion on the correct action of medications, especially in the case of chronic treatments.
There are about 7,000 presentations of medicines, which require certain precautions in the event of a heat wave.
The mechanisms by which drugs can aggravate the effects of heat can be summarized in four large groups: kidney function; drugs that promote water loss; those that interfere with the necessary heat loss and, finally, those that can indirectly increase body temperature.
Infographic General Council of Pharmaceutical Colleges.
These are some of the tips for the summer of the national member of the Office of Pharmacy of the General Council of Pharmaceutical Colleges, Juan Enrique Garrido:
Keep your meds in a cool and dry place. Most medicines should be stored at temperatures below 25-30ºC. Use, as soon as you take them out of the fridge, the medicines that need to be kept between 2-8ºC.
Suppositories, suppositories and creams They are more sensitive to heat. 4. If there is no specific mention of storage temperature, there are studies that show that these drugs do not degrade when exposed to temperatures above 40ºC for 6 months. If you need transport medicines that are sensitive to heat, use a cooler if necessary. Do not leave your medicines for a long time neither in the glove compartment nor the trunk of the car.
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