Health tips for the summer

To enjoy the summer to the fullest, there are simple ways to protect yourself from summertime woes. Find all the tips and tricks.

During the summer, it is important to be well protected from the sun and ultraviolet (UV) rays. Exposure to UV rays from the sun or tanning lamps can cause damage to skin and eyes, in addition to increasing the risk of skin cancer. Protect yourself and your children adequately, especially if you are outdoors between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., even when it is cloudy. Wear a hat, long clothes, as well as sunglasses and stay in the shade as much as possible. If exposure to the sun is unavoidable, apply a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more. Read the following pages to learn more:

• Tanning
• Protection from the sun and UV rays

During waves of oppressive or extreme heat, it is harder for your body to cool and maintain its temperature within normal limits. During these waves, your health may deteriorate rapidly. To prevent the effects of oppressive and extreme heat, keep well hydrated, cool off by swimming or staying in air-conditioned areas, reduce physical effort and pay particular attention to babies and children. For further details, and to know about all precautions to take, read the following pages:

• The effects of oppressive and extreme heat
• Preventing the effects of oppressive and extreme heat

Summer is often the time to enjoy water sports. It is important to respect the health recommendations in the context of the COVID-19 for swimming. Certain precautions must also be taken when bathing, whether doing so along beaches, lakes, rivers or in artificial basins such as indoor and outdoor pools and spas. Bathing waters can be contaminated by microorganisms (blue-green algae and other bacteria, viruses, parasites) or by various pollutants that can lead to health problems. In the case of artificial basins, it is important to disinfect bathing water and to take the necessary precautions when handling chlorination products. Lastly, it is important to follow safety rules to prevent drowning. To learn more, consult the following pages:

• Health problems associated with bathing waters
• Preventing health problems associated with bathing waters
• Preventing health problems associated with blue-green algae
• Safe use of chlorine to disinfect water in swimming pools and spas
• Preventing drowning

In Québec, 1 in 8 people suffers from seasonal rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever. This allergic reaction is caused by exposure to pollens, especially ragweed. Some symptoms of hay fever can affect the quality of life of people who are allergic.  Other plants can also cause allergic reactions or burns when touched. You can take simple and effective precautions to identify and eliminate or limit the presences of these plants in your surroundings. Learn more about hay fever, ragweed, poison ivy and giant hogweed by consulting the following pages:

• Seasonal rhinitis (hay fever)
• Identifying and limiting the presence of ragweed
• Allergic reactions caused by poison ivy
• Identifying and getting rid of poison ivy
• Burns caused by giant hogweed
• Identifying and getting rid of giant hogweed

The bedbugs that bite you during the night can have major consequences for your health and quality of life. If you are among the many people who are moving, limit the risks by taking preventive actions, such as placing you clothing, bedding, mattresses, furniture and other belongings in tightly sealed big plastic bags. To learn more about bedbugs and the precautions to take during a move, go to the following pages:

• Bed bugs bites
• Exterminating bed bugs
• Recognising bed bugs and preventing infestation

The West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted through mosquito bites. With summer here and an influx of mosquitoes, the risk of infection increases significantly and is higher in the city. Cover your entire body with long, light-coloured clothing when outdoors and use mosquito repellent to protect yourself from being bitten, especially at dusk and dawn. To know about protection measures and to reduce the number of mosquitoes in your surroundings, read the following pages:

• West Nile Virus (WNV)
• Protecting yourself from mosquito and tick bites
• Reducing the number of mosquitoes in your surroundings

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. Ticks are particularly present in forests, woodlands and tall grasses in several Québec regions. To avoid tick bites, follow simple measures to protect yourself. For example, walk along paths, cover your whole body with long, light-coloured clothing and use mosquito repellent. In case you are bitten, carefully remove the tick from your skin as soon as possible. For complete details, read the following pages:

• Lyme disease
• Removing a tick after a bite
• Protecting yourself form mosquito and tick bites