Burn Survivor Tips for Staying Cool During Summer

The summer months bring the promise of longer sunshine days, plenty of outdoor activities, and lazy afternoons in the water. Summer also brings the heat - which can be a major concern for burn survivors.

Sweating is the release of liquid from the body's sweat glands. When it's hot outside and we get warm, our bodies will attempt to lower our body temperature by sweating. However, burn injuries and skin grafting can damage sweat glands and cause more trouble keeping cool.

Overheating and Heat Exhaustion

When your body cannot cool itself down, you are at a higher risk of overheating or experiencing heat exhaustion. Since heat-related conditions can be very serious, it is important to know the signs and symptoms:

• Lightheadedness or fainting

• Weakness or tiredness

• Rapid, weak pulse

• Muscle cramps

• Nausea or vomiting

• Headache

• Heavy sweating - For burn survivors, there would be perfuse sweating from areas not injured.

If you think a person may be experiencing a heat-related condition, seek immediate medical help. It is also important to get the person in the shade or indoors and cool down their body with whatever means available.

Stay Hydrated

One of the best ways to stay cool in the heat is by adequately hydrating your body. Be sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after sun exposure. Electrolytes play an important role in maintaining body temperature, so drinks like Gatorade, Liquid IV, Pedialyte, are also great beverages for hot days. Eating ice chips or other frozen foods are another way to stay hydrated and cool! 

Avoid Alcohol: If you know you are spending time outside on a warm day, be sure to avoid alcohol, which can cause dehydration. 

Wear Protective Clothing 

Wearing light, loose clothing helps maintain a lower body temperature. Brands like Coolibar, Columbia, and Armachilo also make UV protectant gear designed with moisture-wicking technology that keeps you cooler and more comfortable in warm temperatures. 

Use Protective and Cooling Gear: Along with wearing the right clothing, umbrellas, spray bottles filled with cold water, and cooling fans are additional ways to keep your body cool. 

Get In The Water

If you start feeling overheated, getting in the water is an easy way to cool down your skin. If a swimming pool or body of water are not nearby, jumping in for a quick cold shower or using a garden hose are two other great options.

Use Cold, Wet Towels: If you know you will be spending hours outside and water is not available to cool your body down, freezing wet towels can come in handy. We recommend putting cold towels in a cooler or keeping towels frozen overnight and then placing them on your neck or behind your knees when you start to feel warm. 

Limit Exposure

One of the easiest tips for staying cool in the summer is to limit your sun exposure, especially when UV rays are the strongest between 10 am and 4 pm. Burn scars and skin grafts are susceptible to even short periods of sun exposure. If such skin is reinjured, it may blister, break down, and become infected.

Wear Sunscreen: Always use sunscreen, even on cloudy days. We recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater. And don't forget to reapply often!