Latest news with #28C
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Warning over common over-the-counter drug that can fuel cancer in warm weather
As another heatwave hits the UK, pharmacists have sounded the alarm over common drugs taken by millions that could increase the risk of deadly skin cancer. Certain medications—including painkillers, antibiotics, antidepressants, statins and hormone replacement therapy (HRT)—can make the skin more susceptible to damaging ultra-violet rays. Britain is set to bask in 28C temperatures from today, and it's predicted that the UK could reach a staggering 32C next week—hotter than Ibiza. But many Britons taking some of the most commonly prescribed medications ought to avoid the sunshine, experts say. This is because these drugs can trigger an immune response that makes skin more sensitive to sunlight—known as phototoxicity—increasing the risk of burning, and therefore skin cancer. Research shows it takes a scarily low number of sunburns, only five, to double the risk of developing skin cancer, a condition that kills more than 2,000 people in the UK every year. Melanoma is the most dangerous type, accounting for four out of five deaths from the disease. By 2025, Cancer Research UK predicts there will be 21,300 cases of melanoma in Britain. Around 90 per cent of melanoma cases—around 17,100 each year—are caused by cellular damage from UV and UVB rays from the sun and tanning beds. Yet only 37 per cent of people take their sunscreen with then to reapply through the day. Here, MailOnline outlines the common medications everyone should be wary of when spending time in the sun... Ibuprofen One of the most likely culprits is one of the most widely used painkillers in the UK, Ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NAID) that is used to treat everything from headaches to period pains. But taking this common painkiller in hot weather, can put users at risk of burning, according to Thorrun Govind, former chair of the England Pharmacy Board. 'Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can lead to phototoxic reactions [chemically-induced skin irritation], especially when taken in high doses or combined with sun exposure,' she told The Sun. Antibiotics Certain antibiotics can also absorb UV light and irritate the skin within hours of being in the sun. According to Ms Govind, people taking doxycycline and ciprofloxacin—commonly prescribed to treat sexually transmitted infections and UTIs—should be particularly wary. 'It's important to avoid prolonged sun exposure while taking these medications', she warned. The NHS advises anyone who is taking doxycycline to avoid using tanning beds and to use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to prevent sunburn. Another common side-effect of both of these antibiotics is dehydrating nausea and diarrhoea. Antidepressants The 8.7million people in the UK taking antidepressants must be very careful about spending time in the sun, experts have warned. This is because antidepressants may inhibit the body's internal temperature regulation system, leaving users in danger of overheating and suffering heat stroke. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as sertraline and fluoxetine (Prozac), are commonly used to treat depression and anxiety in the UK, but can also increase sensitivity to sunlight, putting users at greater risk of burning. These drugs can also trigger excessive sweating and in some cases a dry mouth, symptoms that can be exacerbated during hot weather, increasing the risk of dehydration and heat stroke. What exactly triggers heat-related side-effects from taking SSRIs in some patients, and how common it is overall, is unknown. However studies have suggested the drugs can trigger changes in the melanin content in cells, increasing the risk of sun burn. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) Ms Govind said there is some evidence to suggest that HRT—which replaces the oestrogen lost during the menopause—could increase the risk of skin cancer. Currently around 2.6million women take HRT in England to help with symptoms of the hormonal change, which can include hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes and difficulty sleeping. But, according to experts at Lund University, taking HRT significantly increases the risk of basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer. About 75,000 people are diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) each year and the condition accounts for approximately 70 per cent of all skin cancers. Unlike the deadliest type, melanoma, these cancers are slow growing and doctors can almost always cure them. However, patients often have to undergo invasive operations to remove large chunks of their skin in order to destroy the cancer – which can be disfiguring. Statins Statins are one of the most commonly-prescribed drugs in the UK, with around seven to eight million people taking them to ward off heart attack and stroke. But experts now believe that the medication could make some users more susceptible to sunburn. Whilst this is not a very common issue, according to Ms Govind, it is still something to be wary of. 'Always use sun protection regardless,' she warned. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends one teaspoon-sized dollop of sunscreen per limb, equating to around seven teaspoons if you are applying the product to your whole body.
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Climate
- The Sun
The EXACT time you should close your windows when it gets hot & why opening them could be making your home even stuffier
IT'S the first instinct for many people - to open the windows when it gets warm outside. And with temperatures set to exceed 28°C this week, there will undoubtedly be millions of people cracking theirs open in a bid to catch a break from the stuffy temperatures. 3 3 However, according to one expert, there are only two times during the day and night that you should actually open the windows. "The number one rule in a heatwave is to not open your windows when it's hotter outside than in," Alan Reid, double glazed doors and windows expert at Art Windows and Doors, explained. "Opening your windows is not cooling your home, it's just letting more heat come flooding in." So make sure that your windows and blinds are closed between 11am and 4pm - especially if your house is south-facing. And at 8pm, you can open your windows fully - this will allow the hot air to escape gradually when the temperature outside start to drop. It's then a good idea to leave your windows on night mode, if you have that setting on your vents. "Most modern windows have a built in vent lock or night catch which lets you crack the window slightly for airflow without leaving it fully open," Alan added. "Used at the right time when the outdoor air is cooler, it can help release trapped heat from your home." You can open the windows fully once again in the morning, before the temperatures rise again. There are some other ways you can help keep your home cool in the daytime during a heatwave too. Met Office issues heatwave warning as temperatures set to surge to 30C within days Five ways to keep your kids cool in the heat IT can be really difficult - and costly - to keep kids cool when it's hot outside. But Fabulous Digital Senior Reporter and mum-of-two Sarah Bull shares five ways to help, and they won't break the budget either. Strip them off It might sound simple, but stripping kids off at home can really help them regulate their temperature when it's warm outside. Just remember to regularly apply suncream, as more of their skin will be exposed to the sun. Cool down bedrooms before nighttime When it's hot outside, it can be difficult for kids to go to sleep - especially if their bedroom feels like an oven. If you have a room that's not in direct sunshine, keep the windows open to let in a breeze. It's also a good idea to keep the curtains closed, to prevent the room from heating up. Wear a hat Another simple technique, but one that really works. Make sure that if your kids are playing outside, they've got a hat on. It keeps their face and head shielded from the sun, and also helps if you've got a little one who struggles with bright sunlight. If your tot struggles to keep a hat on, try one with a strap that goes under the chin to help. Avoid the car The car can be one of the hottest places during a heatwave, and often takes a long time to cool down. If you have the option, it's better to stay at home rather than taking kids out anywhere in a hot car. Stay hydrated This is always important, but even more so in a heatwave. Make sure you're regularly reminding your kids to have a drink, and top them up with cool liquids whenever you can. Use ice too to ensure it's as cold as it can possibly be. Some are somewhat self-explanatory - don't use ovens or other heat-generating appliances during peak heat hours, and use linen or cotton bedding to stay cooler at night. But other ideas include having light coloured curtains and blinds, as this will stop them absorbing the heat, and will instead keep rooms cool. And if you've got a fan, you can turn it into a makeshift air cooler by putting a bowl full of ice in front of it. 3
