Healthy Living gives you safety tips for carnival and expo
In this week’s segment of Healthy Living we’ve compiled some very important advice from the professionals for your survival – survival of the carnival and expo weekend, that is! So before you head out on Saturday, whether to play mas or your own viewing party, or even to look for deals at the expo here are three important reminders for you to consider.
Marleni Cuellar, Reporting
Call it tradition, call it a part of culture, maybe for you it’s just about having a good time; either way the Carnival Road March is one of the City’s most anticipated events. And yes, we may not want to think of the toll this day may take on our body; but there are a few important health issues to keep in mind. First of all, with the temperatures expected to be at minimum in the high 80’s; you must plan ahead for skin protection.
Dr. Jorge Lopez Granja, Dermatologist
“There are studies that show that once you get sunburn you are doubling the chances of you having a skin cancer later in life. If you overdoing that then those defense mechanisms won’t help you anymore and then is when you start talking about skin cancer – mutations in you cells would give the origin to skin cancer. You damage your skin, you age younger your skin will sag it will get thicker you’ll get blemishes blotches so all of the things you don’t want can happen.”
So, Carnival Survival Tip Number one: Don’t skip your sunscreen. Load up on a healthy dosage of SPF of thirty or more. If you’ll be dancing through the streets: Take the time to reapply. If you’re a spectator, take some shade, set up a tent, take an umbrella and also, protect your skin as well. Carnival Survival Tip Number two: Stay hydrated.
Dr. Daniel Godinez, Internist
“One of the things that happens when you’ve been exposed to the sunlight for very long period of time is that your body tends to lose a lot of water by evaporation and also by sweating. So you can get dehydrated very easily without realizing it. There are several things people can do: one we should be using light loose fitting clothes especially those made out of cotton. We should avoid polyester type thing…it is also very important to prevent being exposed to sunlight for very long periods of time. If possible you should use some kind of hat or sombrero we call it in Spanish and make sure to get hydrated adequately. We advice the patient to rehydrate, not just water but electrolytes and potassium. If a person start feeling fainty, or for any reason cannot get enough fluids or start getting nausea vomiting or cramps. You should seek medical attention right away.”
Some other tips include being mindful of the where you eat from – nobody wants to get salmonella after a fun weekend. Keep a good account of family members when in a large crowd; inform your children not to wander. And lastly Carnival Survivor Tip Number Three: Drink responsibly. We all want to have fun and there’ll definitely be many people drinking heavily. Pace yourself and always remember don’t drink and drive.
