Summer has arrived early and it seems appropriate to talk about the potential of Homeopathy in sunburn and sunstroke. Of course the past week was rather exceptional and the importance of shade and hydration was fairly obvious.
Dr Andrew Lockie in his book, The Family Guide to Homeopathy, says that sun or heatstroke is caused by excessive fluid and salt loss. This leads to dehydration and exhaustion.
Unsurprisingly, alcohol or recreational drugs are aggravating factors. So heatstroke is not limited to the beach; think of summer music festivals. Fortunately there are usually first aiders or paramedics on hand.
Heatstoke victims complain of feeling hot, headaches, dizziness, and nausea; breathing may be rapid. They may suffer from cramps. Although the face may be flushed, the skin remains dry.
The first aid priority is to bring the temperature down.
So get the causalty into the shade and fan them or sponge with water. Dr Lockie suggest undressing the casualty (respecting privacy of course) and wrapping them in a wet sheet – this cools the skin as the water in the sheet evaporates.
My more recent (Red Cross / St John’s) first aid manual still says the same thing, adding that you keep the sheet wet by adding more water. When the temperature of the casualty stabilises, replace the wet sheet with some light dry clothing.
Give only water to drink with a very little salt added (just half a teaspoon to half a litre of water – too much salt risks vomiting and more fluid loss). Here is another formulation from the NHS – but more suited to the bedside if someone has lost a lot of fluids typically through diarrhoa / vomiting (food poisoning on holiday, say – not uncommon).
According to the first aid manual, heatstroke can develop with little warning. The victim could become unresponsive or may be aggitated and uncooperative, making application of first aid as above, difficult.
As ever, theory is one thing; practice another.
If at all concerned, get help by calling 999.
Not much of homeopathic relevance here, but the remedy Cuprum (copper) has value where there are muscle cramps.
Convention would be to take paracetamol. According to this article on medino.com paracetamol usage amounts to a startling average of 70 tablets per person in the UK! As a painkiller (analgesic) it does what it says on the packet, but it is not curative.
There are a number of homeopathic remedies for headache.
These can also help with migraine symptoms, but this is beyond first aid and warrants more thorough investigation.
However, remember in homeopathy we prescribe for the person, and not the condition. Unfortunately, ‘what do I take for X’ is not so easily answered.
Still, there are certain common remedies found in homeopathic first aid kits (worth packing when you go on holiday).
First up is Belladonna, a remedy whose origin is the deadly nightshade plant. Of course the manner of preparation of homeopathic medicines removes any toxicity.
In wider use it is an excellent remedy for fever in children. The Keynote is HOT. Very intense headache, typically in the forehead and worse for motion, noise. Red face, dilated pupils. Potentially quite violent even convulsive.
A close cousin is Gluonoine, whose origin in Nitro-glycerin, again in homeopathic potency. The ‘explosive’ picture (hence TNT or tri-nitroglycerin) needs little explanation. Throbbing in the head and temples, sense of fullness and so on. It is not a remedy in pharmacy first aid kits, so I will leave it there.
Nux Vomica, is commonly in remedy kits and is one to consider where over indulgence is part of the picture – alcohol, coffee and so forth.
Two others to consider are Bryonia and Gelsemium, both of plant origin and commonly in remedy kits.
Bryonia has a splitting headache with nausea, that gets worse with the slightest movement. Indeed ANY symptom is worse for movement – a keynote.
Whereas Belladonna is intolerant of any pressure, Bryonia is the opposite (because pressure keeps the suffering parts still). In a wider context Bryonia is often of value in chest complaints
Gelsemium, has the characteristic sensation of weakness, dizzyness and droopyness (e.g. eyelids). There is a bursting sensation in the head and eyeballs. Gelsemium is also an influenza remedy as the above mentioned symptoms might suggest to you.
It is easy to get caught out. Sunny days like last week present – hopefully – an obvious risk. On the other hand, I remember sitting on a beach in Northumbria of all places, on a warm but overcast day. No sign of the sun – no sunburn risk? Not so… the rays penetrate the clouds as I found out later when back at the holiday cottage in the evening!
Dr Lockie writes, “sensible sunbathing means exposing yourself to the sun gradually so that your skin has time to produce more melanin. Sunbathe 15 minutes on the first day, then increase sun time by 15 minutes each day”. Of course use suntan lotions with the appropriate screening factor.
If you do get suburn there is a homeopathic cream that contains Urtica urens (from the stinging nettle) and Calendula (marigold) – commonly sold as Utrical that is soothing.
Urtica urens can also be purchased as a mother tincture from homeopathic pharmacies. A few drops in a little water which is then applied on the affected areas can soothe. Also a useful medicine to have in the kitchen to ease minor burns and scalds.
Aloe vera gel is another possibility
I recently had a couple of days in Paris with my wife. Fortunately, a week before the recent heatwave. But temperatures were still in the 30s. One of the blessings of cathedrals is that they are always cool! Below is a picture of the magnificently restored Notre Dame – once black now white!
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Disclaimer: I am a qualified professional homeopath and not a medical doctor. The NHS has many resources, and seeking the opinion of your GP is always of value.
Dibden Purlieu, Southampton