Summer, sun and sunstroke

The holidays might be over, but the meteorological summer still has a while to run, bringing good weather and hot temperatures. If you want to enjoy the summer days to the fullest, however, you should take care to avoid the risk of sunstroke. In this health tip we explain what to look out for.

Especially towards the end of summer, many people try and spend as much time in the fresh air soaking up the sunshine, staying outdoors all day, barbecuing with friends, swimming or maybe doing some sport. But take care: If your head's exposed to heat and sunlight for too long without protection, you can get sunstroke. Sunstroke occurs when the sun's UV rays damage the meninges or parts of the brain tissue. This causes the blood vessels in the scalp to dilate to carry blood to the affected area, which can lead to inflammation and swelling. This in turn can affect normal blood circulation and disrupt the body's thermoregulation, resulting in sunstroke.

When you get sunstroke the following symptoms can occur:

  • Reddening of the skin
  • Heavy sweating
  • Severe, throbbing headache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Feelings of dizziness and disorientation
  • Losing conciousness


Typically these symptoms don't appear immediately, but with a delay of several hours. So if you're spending a prolonged period in the sun it's important to wear a hat from the outset, keep moving into the shade and drink plenty of water. It's particularly important for babies and small children to have their head covered, as it's larger in relation to their body, increasing the risk of sunstroke. Their skin is also thinner and more sensitive, and their ability to cool down isn't yet fully developed. Bald people and elderly people are also more likely to suffer a sunstroke. You should also avoid exerting yourself excessively in the sun.

Beware of heatstroke!

If someone shows signs of sunstroke, they should immediately move to a cool area, drink plenty of water and seek medical help if the symptoms are severe or worsen. If sunstroke goes unnoticed and untreated for too long, there's a risk that it will develop into heat stroke. In the event of heat stroke, the body can no longer regulate its temperature and it can rise to over 40 degrees, which is life-threatening.

16.08.2023


In the event of further health-related questions, SWICA customers can contact the santé24 telemedicine service free of charge on +41 44 404 86 86. A telemedicine practice licence allows santé24 physicians to provide additional medical services in cases that are suited to a telemedicine approach. SWICA customers can also use the BENECURA medical app to carry out a digital SymptomCheck and receive recommendations about what to do next. During a subsequent phone call with santé24, customers can decide for themselves whether to release their information from SymptomCheck to santé24.
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