Sunburn
Sunburn has long-term detrimental effects on the skin and should be avoided. Contrary to popular myth, you do not have to burn to get a tan. In addition, just in case you're still wondering, you can still get a tan using High protection factors. If you do burn, however, keep your skin cool and clean and soothe it with calamine lotion or natural yogurt. Aloe Vera is another good sunburn calmer, as is the essential oil from the bark of the tea tree. Simply add 2-3 drops of it to 10 ml of carrier oil, such as wheat germ or avocado, available in most health food stores and chemists.

If you burn badly over most of your body, you may need to rest in bed and drink plenty of fluids. You must not sunbathe the following day, or until the redness has gone. Seek medical advice for severe burns.

Prickly Heat
This spotty rash occurs because of blocked sweat glands, mostly appearing on the chest, back and arms and you can take steps to prevent it. Avoid strong sunlight, especially between eleven in the morning and three in afternoon when the sun is at its strongest. Wear high-factor sunscreens that screen out both UVA and UVB rays. Take cool showers or bathe frequently, patting the skin dry afterwards. Also, avoid activities that make you sweat a lot.

If you do develop prickly heat, stay in the cool, apply calamine lotion or talcum powder and wear loose clothing. Prickly heat is often confused with polymorphic light eruption (see ahead).

Heat Exhaustion and Heat-stroke
Avoid succumbing to either heat exhaustion or heat stroke by resisting the temptation to lie in the hot sun for hours on end. Keep your body cool by going for a swim at regular intervals. Don't fall asleep in the sun. If you begin to feel woozy or headachy, retreat to the shade immediately and cool yourself, down with cold compresses or a tepid bath and sip liquids. Orange juice is good because it replaces potassium lost through sweating.

Drink, at least, two liters (three to four pints) of water a day, and don't rely on thirst as an indicator of dehydration- you could easily be dehydrated and yet not feel thirsty. Don't drink alcohol or caffeinated drinks as these have a diuretic effect, adding to dehydration. If, despite these precautions, you develop symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, take the following steps immediately:

Heat Exhaustion:
There are three types of heat exhaustion, all of which can be fatal: water deficiency, salt deficiency and anhidritic.

The symptoms of water-deficiency heat exhaustion include thirst, lack of appetite, giddiness, a dry mouth and rising temperature. Rest in cool surrounding and drink half a liter (about a pint) of water every fifteen minutes for two hours. Seek medical help if your symptoms continue to worsen

Salt-deficiency heat exhaustion occurs if you have been sweating heavily during the first few days of acclimatization to a very hot climate and have not eaten properly. Fatigue, giddiness and severe muscle cramps are symptoms of this type of heat exhaustion. If you think you may be suffering from this condition, see a doctor.

Anhidrotic heat exhaustion is a rare malfunction of the sweat glands, which occurs in people who have been in a hot climate for several months.

Heat stroke:The symptoms of heat stroke are that your body temperature rises but you do not sweat, as this heat-regulating mechanism is not functioning correctly. You develop a severe headache, feel faint or disoriented, stagger or start to convulse. The skin is hot and may feel dry. 'Sunstroke' is an incorrect term-you can get heat stroke without being in the sun.

Heat stroke can be extremely dangerous or even fatal, so call an ambulance or ask someone to drive you to the emergency department of a nearby hospital.