Take care of yourself in summer too | Perfect

As summer approaches and temperatures rise, health risks also increase. Sunlight can damage your skin and eyes, and excessive heat can increase your risk of dehydration. In addition, some medications can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

For this reason, the General Council of Colleges of Pharmacists, which brings together all the pharmaceutical colleges of Spain, including the Official College of Pharmacists of Granada, launched an information campaign in which its members participated. , Pharmacy Office and Optics and Acoustics.

The campaign, entitled “Summer Care 2024”, takes advantage of the health education potential of the network of more than 539 pharmacies in Granada and more than 2,100 pharmacists who carry out their medical work in our province. In addition, all the tips that are part of the campaign can be found on the social networks of COF Granada.

Photoprotection

Sunlight is essential for the synthesis of vitamin D, and it also affects mood and helps regulate the circadian rhythm. However, excessive and unprotected exposure can pose health risks. Remember the importance of using sunscreen to prevent sunburn, photoaging, and skin cancer, among other things.

For this purpose, it is recommended to use broad-spectrum sunscreens with a high sun protection factor, suitable for each skin type, and apply them even on cloudy days, increasing precautions for children, pregnant women and the elderly.

photoprotection of eyes

In addition to skin care, special attention should be paid to vision. The eyes have self-defense mechanisms against infrared and visible light, but not against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. For all these reasons, it is important to protect it with approved sunglasses that guarantee effective protection.

To do this, they must have the CE mark, which guarantees compliance with the minimum standards of the European Union, and have filters that block UV radiation. In turn, on the temples of the glasses there is a number from 0 to 4, indicating the amount of visible light that the lens can absorb. The higher the number, the greater the percentage of blocked light.

Oral photoprotection and the importance of hydration

Skin care also starts from the inside, eating certain foods or supplements, and proper hydration play a crucial role in a comprehensive skin and health care routine in the summer.

There are certain nutrients that help prepare and protect the skin from the sun’s rays from the inside. These include carotenoids, vitamins E and C, and omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish, among other things.

In summer, it is also important to maintain good hydration, for this it is recommended to drink 2 to 2.5 liters of water per day, supplementing it with fruits and vegetables. Similarly, it is advisable to avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages, as they increase the excretion of water in the urine and increase sweating.

Medicinal plants

Herbal medicine, which is the use of medicinal plants for medicinal purposes, can help complement sun care and hydration by helping to restore the body’s electrolyte balance.

The best known of all, and supported by clinical trials, is Polypodium leucotomos, a plant that has been studied for its potential protective effect on the skin, especially against damage caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun. In this area, medicinal plants used after sun exposure also stand out for their refreshing, soothing or protective properties, such as calendula or aloe vera; and others that help replenish hydration and restore electrolyte balance, such as nettle leaves and marshmallow root.

However, it is important to remember that there are medicinal plants that increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, causing increased skin reactions, rashes, redness and irritation, such as citrus essential oils, in the case of lemon or bergamot; or the use of St. John’s wort.