Shropshire health chiefs urge residents to stay safe and well during heatwave

As the heatwave continues over the next few days, health experts across the county are advising people to stay safe and well during the hot spell.

Shropshire’s Council’s Stay Safe and Well this Summer webpages offers a host of advice for people young and old, to help keep cool and hydrated throughout the hot weather. 

The website also provides advice and information on home and personal safety, and signposts people to other summer-related advice including:

• Summer health – NHS advice on how to stay well throughout the summer months
• Heatwave advice – advice to ensure the hot weather doesn’t harm you or anyone you know
• Insect bites and stings – tips and advice on what do if you’re stung or bitten by an insect
• Skin care – advice on being ‘sun smart’ and help reduce the risk of skin cancer
• Personal and home safety – advice to help reduce the risk of summer crime
• Leisure safety – information and advice on camping, fireworks and water safety. Other information includes, travel advice, information for practitioners who support vulnerable people, as well as ‘what’s on’ during the summer months.

Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, adult social care and housing, and chair of Shropshire’s Health and Well-Being Board, said:
“Everyone can enjoy the sun safely by keeping out of the heat at the hottest time of the day, avoiding sunburn and staying hydrated with plenty of cool drinks.

“Heat exhaustion and heatstroke can both be very serious if they are not treated quickly, especially for the very young or very old, or for those with long-term illnesses. We strongly advise residents to heed the summer health advice and to look after each other in this hot weather.”

With pollen counts also high, Dr Irfan Ghani, Shropshire Council’s consultant for public health, offers advice for hayfever sufferers:

“Although there is no cure for hayfever, there are many over-the-counter remedies available from your local pharmacy to help make life and the condition easier to manage during the summer months. Pharmacists are fully trained health professionals who can offer useful advice on treatments for hayfever, such as antihistamines.

“Antihistamines are commonly used for hayfever. They block the action of the chemical histamine, which the body releases when it thinks it is under attack from an allergen like pollen. Decongestants can also help to relieve a blocked nose which is often caused by hayfever, as well as dust allergies and pet allergies.

“For those already taking regular medication, pharmacists can advise on the most appropriate treatments that won’t interfere with it. If you’ve tried over-the-counter medicines but are still struggling with troublesome symptoms it may be worth speaking to your GP, as you may need prescription medication.”

Advice on how to reduce the risk either for yourself or somebody you know can be found on NHS Choices at www.nhs.uk/summerhealth. You can also visit your local pharmacy or call NHS 111.