When summer arrives, it’s important to protect not only against sunburn but heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Overexposure to the sun and excessive heat can cause loss of fluids leading to dehydration, low electrolytes and an increase in body temperature.
eat cramps: Excessive loss of fluids from sweating on very hot days can cause heat cramps due to a deficiency in electrolytes. The individual is not dehydrated. Drinking a cool drink with added electrolytes or green coconut juice will speed recovery.
Heat exhaustion: Loss of fluids and electrolytes can also produce a condition where there is nausea, dizziness, weakness, cramps, headache and fainting. In the instance of heat exhaustion, the person will be dehydrated. Replacing bodily fluids and having the person lay down in a cool room helps with recovery.
Heatstroke: When the body is unable to control its temperature after lengthy exposure to heat and the sun, sometimes a fatal condition known as heat stroke occurs. An early sign is the lack of sweating. The body temperature may rise to 105 degrees Fahrenheit or higher and there will also be dehydration and a loss of electrolytes. Seizures, severe headache, confusion and rapid breathing are also evident. This is an emergency situation and generally calls for immediate medical attention.
Homeopathic remedies for the various stages of heat and sun exposure maybe helpful in stabilizing an individual suffering from mild overheating.
Here are the top remedies to have on hand this summer for overheating and sun stroke.
Belladonna: Agonizing, sudden, shooting headache with throbbing making the individual scream in pain. Bright red face, dilated pupils, glassy-eyed, fixed stare with no expression, no thirst but has a dry mouth.
Bryonia: Severe headache made worse by the slightest motion. The individual is extremely thirsty for large amounts of cold water.
Aconite: Faint and dizzy with a headache after prolonged, direct exposure to the sun. Individual may say he feels like he is dying, be anxious and restless.
Carbo Veg: Collapse from excess heat with clamminess of the skin and stomach complaints. The individual wants to be fanned and needs to feel moving air.
Glonoinum: First remedy for sunstroke. Agonizing congestive headache after exposure to sun and heat. Hot face and cold extremities, irritability and confusion. Pounding pain, compare to Belladonna.
Gelsemium: Drowsiness, headache in the back of the head, no thirst, weakness, comatose and useful for sunstroke.
Lachesis: Excellent for treating headaches from sun exposure especially if they are worse on the left side. The individual feels worse after waking from sleep, feels faint and dizzy.
Natrum Carb: Debilitated as a result of heat exposure. Is chronically affected by heat and sunstroke. Headache is worse from the slightest mental effort.
If you are unsure of which remedy or dosage to take, it is wise to seek professional advice from a fully qualified registered homeopath to ensure you are receiving the best possible treatment to help support you.
Please be advised that Woodlands Holistic Home does not offer medical advice. These are remedies you can use for first aid while in route to your trusted healthcare professional.