PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — A heat wave is headed our way, and urgent care clinics are prepared for a potential wave of heat-related illness and injuries.
Dr. Gregory Pierce has seen people come in to Patient First in Hampton with second-degree burns on their feet from hot sand and pavement, but more often he sees sunburns.
“It’s a matter of really tough pain, you know, and even the first degree sunburns can sometimes be very painful, very painful, sometimes see the secondary sun where they get the blistering,” Pierce said.
Even after the sunburn fades, it can come back to haunt you.
“The number of blistering summers that you get over the age of 18 really can determine your risk for skin cancer for the rest of your life,” Pierce said.
Dr. Pierce prescribes sunscreen for everyone and especially small children. He recommends that you use SPF of at least 30 and reapply every hour.
“I think the big thing is hydration. I think people underestimate how much water they drink,” he said. “I tell people to drink as much water as you think you need and then a little extra on top of that.”
Limit your time in the sun during the hottest times of the day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
and if you’re out having fun, say at an amusement park take lots of breaks, see an indoor show or find a splash pad, anything to keep cool.
If you start to feel sick and experience headache, nausea or dizziness get inside, cool down and don’t be afraid to get checked out.
Also, If you’re start to feel confused, have slurred speech or stop sweating you should get to a hospital or call 911 right away.