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Original poster

A thread for those who struggle in the warmer weather

121 replies

Playplayaway · 05/05/2022 15:51

Sorry if there's already a thread. I cant see one. With the weather forecasted to get warmer I thought I'd start a thread for those of us who struggle with heat. I remember from previous threads there are a few of us with illnesses such as asthma, eczema, allergies and other illnesses that get worse in summer. Also for those who live in homes that retain the heat such as town houses, flats south facing etc that want advice on how to keep their homes cooler. Or just those that really hate being hot!

It's very warm here today in the South East. It says it's 19 but when the sun came out it felt a lot warmer in my sunny front garden, and very muggy with no breeze.

We removed all our carpets downstairs and replaced with hard wood and tile last autumn so I'm hoping it makes a difference this year to the inside temps. The fans are still in the loft so far. I went shopping today and put a load of easy to cook stuff and a few iced treats in the freezer. We try not to use the oven too much in the summer as it heats up our little kitchen. We have the slow cooker, microwave and air fryer.

How is everyone else preparing?

Oh ... and there are always a few posters who say 'Stop moaning and enjoy the lovely weather!' This isn't a moaning thread. It's a thread for those who genuinely struggle in the heat and want to share advice etc.

OP posts:
shumway · 05/05/2022 15:54

I am dreading it getting any warmer.

NotanotherboxofFrogs · 05/05/2022 16:45

I struggle big time in the change of seasons..

The first burst of heat when everyone is throwing off all clothing, I get the opposite and hate it. For 2-3 weeks I struggle to get my temperature above 35 - usually 34s and lowest has been 32s and am almost blue with the cold, despite layers, hat and gloves then after that I'm stripping off like others. Raynauds kicks off especially at this time too. I've got chilblains in the past during this time.

Then the end of October, it's back to low temperatures again for a couple of weeks and I spend my winters running around in tee shirt / vest top and shorts and sweating all the time. My body is on opposites. I usually go to do my Christmas shopping in tee shirt and shorts, I get some odd looks but I'm past caring.

no obvious reason why I'm affected like this medically

Homewoes22 · 05/05/2022 16:51

I struggle every year due to heat/sun allergy, not looking forward to the heat.

Magicfeet11 · 05/05/2022 16:55

I'm the opposite. I chronically feel the cold and the winter is really hard for me. You have my sympathies, it's no fun feeling off kilter with the rest of the world!

MissMaple82 · 05/05/2022 17:01

I too am dreading it. I want to invest in a couple of portable air conditioners but reviews are always mixed

KangarooKenny · 05/05/2022 17:04

I discovered the Asda liquid talc last year, and it really helps in those sweaty places. Made me feel more comfortable at work.

Sunnytwobridges · 05/05/2022 18:32

I hate the warm weather. I'm hot natured and I have asthma. I've been dreading the heat for the past couple of months. I've been happy its been a mild spring but no matter what I know it will be hot in the summer (I'm in the south in the US). If I could move somewhere where the summers aren't so hot I would do it. I'm already looking forward to the fall.

furballfun · 05/05/2022 18:51

All of us struggle, DH especially - now he's WFH, we've actually had air conditioning fitted to all the main rooms of the house (having previously had a single, portable unit). Pricey but worth it, and yes, we are in the UK

the80sweregreat · 05/05/2022 19:00

Can't bear it , but I'm in the UK so I'm hoping that it won't be too hot this year as summers are unpredictable here.

Bookridden · 05/05/2022 20:01

Ah, my people! I have terrible hayfever, but am also fat, and I feel much more self-conscious about this in summer clothes. Plus I'm peri-menopausal, so I find being hot really uncomfortable. Somehow, I just feel more alive and cheerful on grey, cool days. I don't want to wish my life away, but I am longing for autumn already.

Original poster
Playplayaway · 05/05/2022 20:06

Preparation is key for me. Luckily I'm now wfh full time so at least I can control my environment to a certain extent.

Things I do daily:

Keep curtains closed on the sunny side of the house, and windows open on the shady side.
Freeze bottles of water for night time.
Water in a spray bottle in fridge to spritz myself with.
Drink plenty.
Moisturise well.
Shower early afternoon and just before bed.
Work outside if it's cool enough in the shade.
Put feet in a bowl of cool water while working.
Do housework little and often, usually early in the morning.
Put fan on in the bedroom an hour before bed.
Cotton sheets on the beds, but also on the sofa.
100% cotton clothing. I love thin cotton oversized shirts that protect me from sun but keep me cool.
Thin cotton pjs.
Keep meals basic with as little cooking as possible.
Decline invites to bbqs or parties outside if I'm not absolutely sure I can get some shade.

I try not to do much at all really if the temps go over 25, apart from work. My youngest is now 16 and I'm so thankful I'm done with school sports days, fetes etc which always seem to occur on horrific hot days.

I get terrible unbearably itchy heat rash and once it starts it's very hard to control. It's like I'm being pricked by tiny needles. I'll do anything to avoid it.

OP posts:
HemanOrSheRa · 05/05/2022 20:12

I'm peri menopausal so seem to have lost the ability to regulate my body temp. I've been on HRT for a few months though so hopefully it will help. It's stopped hot flushes. I find using bar soap and Spanish cologne helps to keep me feeling fresh.

If I get really overheated I hang a damp sheet at the lounge/bedroom windows with the windows open. Cools the room right down.

Thinken · 05/05/2022 20:12

I pretty much do everything on your list!

Only thing I can add is open your loft hatch if you have one.

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 05/05/2022 20:13

We have an ice-maker in our fridge-freezer and I fill a big bowl up at night time and put it in front of the fan to help me sleep.

A580Hojas · 05/05/2022 20:14

Ha! I nominate this for earliest ever thread for moaning about the heat. Really, if you can't tolerate 19 degrees why do you live in the south east?

Original poster
Playplayaway · 05/05/2022 20:26

Thinken · 05/05/2022 20:12

I pretty much do everything on your list!

Only thing I can add is open your loft hatch if you have one.

I do when dh is home (he works away part of the week). I'm scared of all the spiders crawling out 😱

OP posts:
picklemewalnuts · 05/05/2022 20:33

Wet scarf around the neck really cools the blood. Dampen your hair.

picklemewalnuts · 05/05/2022 20:35

Work out how to open windows on opposite sides, so you get a good draught through. Open the windows on the shady side of the highest part of the house, and one on the bottom. Should get a air sucked through.

cornflakedreams · 05/05/2022 20:37

The loft hatch thing doesn't work unless you have ventilation in roof for hot air to escape, it just heats up the air below. You're better off insulating the loft hatch.

I spend warm weather / all summer trying to stay out of hospital. It makes me so poorly so quickly, and it's exhausting trying to manage it. Comforting to know I'm not the only one dreading the temperature rising.

HemanOrSheRa · 05/05/2022 20:40

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 05/05/2022 20:13

We have an ice-maker in our fridge-freezer and I fill a big bowl up at night time and put it in front of the fan to help me sleep.

Oh yes! Like homemade air con. Works really well.

SlatsandFlaps · 05/05/2022 20:40

Playplayaway · 05/05/2022 20:06

Preparation is key for me. Luckily I'm now wfh full time so at least I can control my environment to a certain extent.

Things I do daily:

Keep curtains closed on the sunny side of the house, and windows open on the shady side.
Freeze bottles of water for night time.
Water in a spray bottle in fridge to spritz myself with.
Drink plenty.
Moisturise well.
Shower early afternoon and just before bed.
Work outside if it's cool enough in the shade.
Put feet in a bowl of cool water while working.
Do housework little and often, usually early in the morning.
Put fan on in the bedroom an hour before bed.
Cotton sheets on the beds, but also on the sofa.
100% cotton clothing. I love thin cotton oversized shirts that protect me from sun but keep me cool.
Thin cotton pjs.
Keep meals basic with as little cooking as possible.
Decline invites to bbqs or parties outside if I'm not absolutely sure I can get some shade.

I try not to do much at all really if the temps go over 25, apart from work. My youngest is now 16 and I'm so thankful I'm done with school sports days, fetes etc which always seem to occur on horrific hot days.

I get terrible unbearably itchy heat rash and once it starts it's very hard to control. It's like I'm being pricked by tiny needles. I'll do anything to avoid it.

Have you tried Loratadine? It's sold as an antihistamine but it but be one that contains Loratadine. That will solve your itching

SlatsandFlaps · 05/05/2022 20:49

*must

Original poster
Playplayaway · 05/05/2022 21:00

SlatsandFlaps

Thanks! Yes I take a daily antihistamine. It definitely helps. I dread to think how bad it would without it. I use itch relief cream when I feel the first sign of a tingle which also helps. Sometimes nothing stops it though and when I'm in that scratch itch cycle that nothing helps.

OP posts:
KangarooKenny · 05/05/2022 21:03

Eurax is great for stopping scratching

AuntieMarys · 05/05/2022 21:03

It's the suncream application which gets me...I have to wear it as I burn almost immediately ...but I hate the feel of it and the staining of white tops.
I have PMLE and roseacea which are a nightmare in the summer.

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