How to not get sick when outside in very hot/humid weather?

[MaggieTheCat]

So, I love to walk. I used to walk 3 miles a day 3-4 times a week earlier in the year. Then summer hit and I quit, because I get horrible migraines if I'm outside for too long in heat and humidity. A couple of weeks ago my in-laws were visiting and we took my nephew to the zoo. We were outside for about 3.5 hours, it was in the mid-upper 90s and quite humid (I'd guess around 80%.) At the end of it I felt horrible.

A friend of mine has invited me on a dog walk later this week. It's 3 miles, so I'm not worried about it being too long since I've done that reliably in the past. But I am worried about getting sick again. At the zoo I drank lots and lots of water, so dehydration isn't an issue, I don't think. Anyone have any other suggestions for how to prevent headaches/migraines in the summer heat?

[lupo pazzesco]

Bandana for wiping sweat off, and wet wipes help me when I'm out walking or bike riding. I actually use baby wipes on my face and arms, and exposed skin. Evaporation = cooling effect = less chance of me getting sick. also, drinking straight water is great and all, but replacing electrolytes and salts (for lack of a better word) help keep you better hydrated and balanced. I mix up water with some of those instant powerade packets. If you can find shade for a few minutes here and there, that's good, too.

Hope this helps.

[BookstoreEscapee]

I'm the same way. Strangely enough, this summer hasn't been too bad, and I've even been out walking on warm days (though not 90 degrees with 80% humidity like we had a couple weeks ago; today was low 80s and not real humid so I went to the park and even ran a bit). I'm not sure what, if anything, I'm doing to make it better, though...

Water...good sunglasses and hat (the bright light might be contributing). Gradually increase your time/activity outside so your body has time to acclimate to the heat.

[lupo pazzesco]

HAT!! I forgot to mention the hat! I has a hat. It's a CSI hat. I also have a dragon hat. I lurves my hats.

<ahem>

Nothin' to see here folks, move along...

[MaggieTheCat]

Hmm, I do have transition lenses in my regular glasses that are supposed to block out sunlight, but I don't know to what effect. Are regular sunglasses better? I don't necessarily need my regular glasses for a walk, I mainly need them for reading and watching TV.

I did wear a hat at the zoo, but it was just a baseball cap (I used it to put my hair up, since my hair is getting quick long and is naturally very thick.) Would a hat with a brim all the way around be better?

Wipes/bandanna are a great idea. Thanks Lupo.

[AccountingDrone]

hat with a brim all around, and one of those neck thingies that has the water absorbing gel inside soaked with water for the evaporative coolness. Also, if the hat is terrycloth, you can soak it in water to get evaporation going.

I did see a woman walking with a parasol sunday ... huge one with a sunflower pattern to it.

[ArcticChicken]

Hat (with brim), some type of electrolyte drink, personally I like gatorade because I can tell based on how good it tastes if I've had enough, and a separate water bottle that starts out mostly frozen. Replacing water/electrolytes isn't gonna do you any good if you're too hot, and with 80% humidity, your sweat isn't evaporating enough to cool do it's job and cool you down.

[Squeaksmyalias]

Well everyone else beat me to this, I work outside all day and I agree with everyone else. I don't like the brim all around on hats but that's just me, I have a combat cap I wear, it's light weight so I prefer that.There is even pink camo I bring Gatorade and water, I freeze both a bit so they stay colder longer. Sometimes I will keep my hair wet too. There was a coworker of mine who used to bring a spray bottle with her and spray herself down to cool off. I would run through client's sprinklers if they were on when I got to the house.

Hope that helps!

[BlaqueKatt]

one of those neck thingies that has the water absorbing gel inside soaked with water for the evaporative coolness.

yup I have a couple of them-Kool Ties-or blu bandoos-I wear them when it's my day in the autoclave room-that room can reach over 110F with 80% humidity-I forgot the thing once and got heatstroke-so that should be proof they work.....

[Seshat]

Sun protective clothing, ideally with sweat wicking.

You can get some such clothing as 'working gear', and also from outdoors stores. The working gear is cheaper, the outdoor stores ones are more walking-specific.

Bare skin is NOT the ideal answer to heat.

[Wingates_Hellsing]

I tend to walk around town when I've got nothing better to do, and I've found that I get a headache if I'm not wearing shades or a wide brimmed hat to keep from getting the sun directly in my eyes. It's also better if you can keep from sweating under your hat, I've always just dumped water directly on the interior of mine (a 'combat cap' in the style of regular ball caps) but a bandanna or liner might be preferable. Also, if you're in the market for a neck wrap to keep the sun off/soak I'd highly recommend a shemagh (keffiyeh) as there's more to work with and they're more robust than a run-of-the-mill bandana.

Also, an acquaintance had this to say:

For hat-wear, I had to wear one for 16+ hours during the summer in Mississipi. I can definitely say that it helps, though perhaps you're wearing the hat incorrectly (the uncomfortable way of having the edge of the cap parallel to the ground keeps the brim low over your eyes). Also, there are hat liners you can buy to keep the sweat from your eyes. You should also hydrate the day before. Getting something like a Camelback or SourcePack is a great way to keep hydrated. A full one should be consumed every 3 hours or so (for me, I would fill it 2/3 with water and then add ice. It created a nice ice pack that keeps you cool).