A thread for those who struggle in the warmer weather

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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.

Thankfully my heat urticaria injections have been approved for longer
I can go on them for 6 months then off for a month then back on

That must be a relief for you!

It looks like a few cool days coming up with some rain tomorrow. I literally can't remember the last time I saw rain. Thw garden is so dry and dusty. Hopefully it'll help us asthmatic and hayfever sufferers a bit.

Hello! 👋

How is everyone doing? It's forecast to get a lot hotter over the next few days. I spoke to my asthma nurse today and am upping my meds as my hayfever is bringing on my wheezing, especially at night.

I've enjoyed the weather over the last few weeks. I'm OK with quite warm days when it cools off nicely at night but it looks like a few sticky ones to come. Dh has cleaned the fans and I've got a stock of lollies in the freezer.

Struggling. Hate the heat. Daughter has sports day on Friday which means sitting out for an hour and a half :( My medication means I'm sun sensitive too. Roll on autumn 🤣

I hate the sun. I love the sun for drying laundry loads on the line but that's it. I hate heatwaves. I struggle during a heat wave. It wouldn't be too bad if I had the luxury of not working during a heatwave and I could lounge about at home and do nothing but that's not possible. I'm usually working and if you read any of my previous threads I am struggling with work and hours. Just yesterday I worked from 7am to 10pm. I dread the idea of working like that in a heatwave. A heatwave wouldn't be too bad if you were allowed to sit down at home or in a bear garden and have some cold drinks and ice cream but when life is work, work, work.

I usually experience sickness during heatwaves too. My eyes sting, headaches/migraines, tiredness not to mention I was recently diagnosed with a gut condition so if I don't keep fluids up, I will get more sick.

I also have a lot of moles so I need to practice sun safety. I found a sunscreen with green tea. I am hoping the grrleen tea might help repel insects and flies. We will see.

I used to be a tomboy when I was growing up but over the past few weeks I ordered some summer dresses in the hope that it helps cool me down.

I hate the sun. I wish I could love it but I can't.

17/18/19 degrees is OK for me. Anything beyond 22/23 I struggle with.

It's high humidity that kills me.. I hate high humidity.

I live in a place with reliably hot and humid summers. I dread them. This week temps are over 90F and we'll have the AC blasting constantly.

Tips if you don't have AC:
Shut your curtains or blinds. Leave windows open to let air circulate.
Set up fans, especially in your bedrooms.
Don't use your hob or oven even if you have a hood to suck out heat and steam.
Buy an instant pot and/ or air fryer for cooking on hot days.
Or reheat previously cooked food in the microwave.
Let dishes soak if you usually wash up by hand. Wash them later when temps have gone down a bit, or first thing in the morning.

Stick your feet in a basin of cold water.
Cook showers are refreshing.
Damp cotton scarf around your neck to cool down.
Light, loose clothes and PJs.
Drink plenty of water, and sports rehydration drink if you're out for a spell.
Hat to keep the sun off your face.
Sunscreen

British heatwaves are awful :(
I'm dreading Friday already

I highly recommend this! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neck-Rechargeable-Headphone-Adjustable-Traveling/dp/B091Y2BLLW/ref=sr11_12?crid=U2AYQGAV5SSP&keywords=Neck+fan&qid=1655236991&sprefix=neck+fan%2Caps%2C69&sr=8-12

I actually rejoiced when my youngest got to secondary age because NO MORE SPORTS DAYS! Oh how I loved it when they were rained off. Our primary used to prolong the torture by doing a picnic lunch on the field afterwards.

Not only was it usually very hot, it was also incredibly boring, shuffing around to watch dc balancing bean bags on heads or rolling a hoop for an hour 🥱 all the while listening to the performance parents shouting encouragement.

The last 20 minutes when they did the races was ok, I'd happily have just turned up for that bit.

I see I have found my people. Struggled with heat since I can remember. The humidity and the sunburn.
Today is my non work day and DH has asked if I can sort out a few things locally. My plan was actually to stay in the house with the fan on until I have to go out for school pick up. It feels lazy but it’s so hard.
Yesterday I overheated getting home from work (by bike) and had to douse my head in cold water. Turned out later I had burnt my forearms. That was rushing out in the morning with no cream on.
Friday can do one.

Excellent tips mathanxiety
I do a lot of those. It really helps to feel I've got some control over the situation. I use my slow cooker and air fryer a lot. They're a godsend in the heat.

Glad this thread exists!

Heat gives me migraine; but can't have it too cold as it sets my Raynauds off. Annoying!

Any recommendations for fans which actually cool the air, or even blast cold air, rather than just moving warm air around?

People who say 'enjoy the lovely/glorious weather' make me feel homicidal with rage.

Have MS, totally effected by the heat, at times I can barely stay awake and the pins and needles /numbness get.10x worse. Love winter!

The tall oscillating fans are the best in my experience, not cheap but a lot cheaper than the air con units (that I lust after!) Kuyal Oscillating 44-inch Tower Fan, Powerful 50W Motor with Remote Control, 15 Hour Timer and 3 Cooling Fan Speeds for Home and Office White amzn.eu/d/bR3xPra

Its been pretty good up until last week. The nights were at least cooler but now they are hot just like the days (I'm in the south in the US). We actually had a heat advisory yesterday as it was 98degrees. I'm miserable even with the AC as it still feels hot for some reason. My asthma is acting up more too. 😫Cant wait til fall!

Me, I have v long thick hair. Feels like wearing a hat all the time 🥵

My tribe!
my tip with black out blinds - get the ones with white not black and they will reflect the heat away rather than pulling it in.

only open windows if it is cooler outside than it is inside.

keep curtains drawn against the sun but open them once it’s moved around.

open bowl of ice cubes in front of a fan; the fan will blow the cooler air from the ice cubes around not just stir up the warmer air

whenever you wash your hands run cold water over pulse points - wrists, inner elbow, neck.

personal taste but I find long loose dresses cooler than shorts and stroppy tops.

lots of iced drinks.

as soon as it cools down in an evening fling all the doors and windows open and get the air moving. Leave windows open (if you can safely obviously) overnight to let the hot air out. Close them in the morning when it starts warming up again.

if you have the luxury of directing your own time, get up early and work in the coolness then take a long break in the midday heat.

anf if you have to be out and about then if possible take heat breaks, sit in an air conditioned cafe for an hour or drive the long way round; get cooler before you go back out into it.

biggest tip though. Too late for me but save yourselves. Do not get a big fat hairy lap cat who insists on draping herself like a giant fur stole around your neck.

@Rubyroseyposey I have really thick hair too and have resorted to having an undercut. It’s made a big difference. I feel like have half the hair and am much less sweaty.

I've got thick hair that falls on my shoulders. I just claw clip it all up and instantly feel better.

I'm wfh and wafting around in a maxi dress today and feeling nice and cool so far. There's no breeze at all so that doesn't bode well for later. I got up early and did a few housework jobs and put a couple of 2l bottles in the freezer for putting in front of the fan tonight if I need to.

I've done my meds and so far so good. Two days isn't too bad for me, it's the prolonged heat that can make me very ill.

I hope everyone is OK.

hay fever has battered me this year and it's like I have permanent flu because of it.

Hayfever is the pits. Mine used to be mainly in my eyes but as I've got older it's the constant runny nose and itchy throat and insane itching deep inside my ears. Antihistamines some give relief for a few hours but only really take the edge off. The only things that really help is not going out, drying all laundry indoors and showering twice a day.

My night time tips as a fatty

Cool/ice packs -take two or three to bed
Also take 2 wet washcloths to bed

Have a cool shower

Have one I've pack next to the bed, with a wet wash cloth on top. Take duvet out of cover and Just have the cover over you

Have Fan next to you

Use the other I've pack/s behind your back/under your legs/stomach whatever

Use the other wash cloth to cool your forehead/neck/under boobs /legs

When wash cloth gets warm. Swap it for the one on the one pack

Repeat

I've found this is the coolest way to be at night for me

I totally give up on caring about my appearance, as having regular cool showers and soaking my head is what helps me the most. I try to spend as much of the day with wet hair as possible, in front of a fan.

Also, I find caffeine and anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen are helpful as my most common heat issue is migraines. I drink a lot of iced coffee and iced tea.