Many of you spend your holidays at the beach, by a lake, the sea or the ocean. Between sand, water, salt and heat, what are the hygiene rules to follow? Overview with Dr Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of TipsForWomens.
On vacation, we tend to let go, to let go… And for some, to make some sprains in hygiene. How can you be sure not to endanger your health at the beach? By following these tips!
Take a shower after bathing
“After bathing, you must of course wash with fresh water“indicate Dr. Gérald Kierzek first.”But above all, you have to take off your swimsuit to avoid fungal infections, wash it and put it to dry. Otherwise, it will become a veritable nest of germs!” insists the doctor.
So plan several swimsuits for your beach vacation.
Protect your wounds with a bandage
When you have a wound, there is no question of neglecting it at the beach! Between water and sand, nothing could be easier to contaminate it. “At the beach, it is advisable to cover a wound with a bandage, to avoid bacterial contamination and to prevent salt water from entering it. For a major wound, I even advise to take a medical opinion, before any bathing.“adds the doctor.
Pay attention to the quality of the water in which you swim
Before entering the water, it is advisable to find out about its bacteriological quality, especially in lakes. “There is always a display at the edge of the beaches. It is recommended to inquire, because sometimes swimming may be inadvisable” adds the doctor. Little advice: you can find out in real time the water quality of your vacation spot (sea water and fresh water) thanks to the baines.sante.gouv.fr website of the Ministry of Solidarity and Health.
“For people prone to ENT problems, I also recommend wearing earplugs. Also remember that the lenses should not be worn to go in the water, to avoid any risk of contamination by amoebas. Finally, avoid drinking the cup, because if there is presence of coliform bacteria, the risk of gastroenteritis can be high” estimated Gérald Kierzek.
Take care of the cold chain
Apart from the water this time, precautions are to be taken on the side of the picnic. “Watch out for the cold chain! More generally, you should avoid bringing fresh products, such as yogurts for example, and try to eat your meal quickly after arriving, so as not to leave it too long in the sun, even in a cooler. says our expert.
Beware of the cold chain also when buying your ice cream from the itinerant vendor. For more security, choose the chouchoux or donuts from him instead and buy your ice cream from the ice cream parlor.
