YOU might be off to Glastonbury this week, or have a summer of one-day festivals lined-up, or even a community fete where you’re running the tombola.
Whatever your festival-style, you’ll want to be prepared – and we’re not just talking glitter make-up and wellies.
GettyAre you ready for festival season? Our guide to the first aid kit to have packed[/caption]
When faced with the prospect of severe sunburn and potentially deadly heat stroke, taking care of your health, and that of those around you, is vital.
St John Ambulance‘s Associate Medical Director David Monk says: “Festivals are all about enjoying the music surrounded by your closest friends and loved ones.
“The last thing you want to consider is something going wrong, but it’s important to make sure that you are prepared if it does.”
Not sure where to start? The Sun Health guide to staying safe and feeling your best on the festival circuit has you covered – here’s what to pack…
Protective clothing
Sports DirectPuma Core Bucket Hat, £13, Sports Direct[/caption]
NO, not high vis, although it might help your mates spot you in the crowd.
To protect yourself against sunstroke and heat exhaustion, make sure to have a pair of sunglasses with UV protection, a hat with a wide brim to shade your face and neck, and a loose, light coloured shirt to cover up with.
Puma Core Bucket Hat, £13, Sports Direct
Water bottle
DecathlonQuechua Plastic (Ecozen®) Hiking Flask MH100 with Screw Cap 0.8 Litre, £2.99, Decathlon[/caption]
HYDRATE, hydrate, hydrate.
Between the hot weather and the booze, remember to drink plenty of water – at least six to eight glasses a day, and preferably alternate tee-total drinks with alcoholic ones.
Quechua Plastic (Ecozen®) Hiking Flask MH100 with Screw Cap 0.8 Litre, £2.99, Decathlon
Sunscreen
TescoTesco Soleil Sun Lotion Spf 50 200Ml, £2.80[/caption]
YOU need a bottle of sunscreen that’s SPF 30 minimum, but preferable SPF 50, with a UVA rating of at least four-stars.
And remember – apply every two hours!
Tesco Soleil Sun Lotion Spf 50 200Ml, £2.80
Aftersun
TescoTesco Soleil After Sun Spray 200Ml, £3[/caption]
SHADE-HOPPING, SPF and staying out of the sun between 11am and 3pm will all help you avoid sunburn.
But if your skin does get scorched, help soothe it with liberal applications of aftersun.
Tesco Soleil After Sun Spray 200Ml, £3
Pain relief
SainsburysSainsbury’s Paracetamol Caplets x16, 39p[/caption]
PAINKILLERS are a festival must.
Whether you’re feeling a little worse for wear after one too many ciders, need some sunburn relief or are nursing a swollen ankle from getting carried away dancing, be ready.
Sainsbury’s Paracetamol Caplets x16, 39p
Sainsbury’s JS Ibuprofen 200mg Tablets x16, 42p
Antihistamines
AsdaBells Healthcare Hayfever & Allergy Relief Tablets Loratadine 30 Tablets, £2, Asda[/caption]
HAY fever can blight your festival experience, so make sure you have enough antihistamines to last you the duration.
Pack a steroid nasal spray if you have one too.
Bells Healthcare Hayfever & Allergy Relief Tablets Loratadine 30 Tablets, £2, Asda
Beconase Hayfever Relief for Adults Nasal Spray – 100 Sprays, £6.80, Boots
Plasters
SuperdrugSuperdrug Waterproof Plasters X 40, £1.99[/caption]
SCHLEPPING across fields can leave your feet in tatters.
Stock up on blister and waterproof plasters in case of cuts and grazes.
Superdrug Waterproof Plasters X 40, £1.99
Superdrug Blister Plaster Multi Size Pack, £3.79
Diarrhoea relief
BootsImodium Original 2mg Capsules – 12 Capsules, £5.90, Boots[/caption]
FOOD poisoning is not out of the question at festivals – you’re likely drinking more than normal, and eating more fast food too, so your gut might be less happy than usual.
Ward off diarrhoea symptoms with Imodium, and top up your electrolytes with rehydration sachets.
Imodium Original 2mg Capsules – 12 Capsules, £5.90, Boots
Sainsbury’s Rehydration Treatment Granules x6, £2.50
Festival mental health
BEING at a festival can feel like a total break from reality, but it’s important to still take care of your mental wellbeing.
Kate Bithell, a mental health nurse at Private Rehab Clinic Delamere, shares her top tips for looking after yours…
TOXIC MIX
“AVOID mixing drugs and alcohol,” says Kate.
“While taking any illegal substance is highly dangerous in itself, when mixed with alcohol, the risks can become significantly higher in terms of the potential impact on one’s mental and physical health.”
Kate adds: “Know where your limits are and when you should stop.
“It can be really easy to give into peer pressure to drink a little more than you intended, trying to keep up with others could be extremely dangerous.”
EAT UP
“THERE is often so much going on at festivals that at times it can feel overwhelming, and this may result in many forgetting to eat at regular stages throughout the day,” says Kate.
“Food gives us energy, so when we don’t eat it can cause blood sugar levels to drop, which in turn can lead to mood swings, feeling irritable, and low in energy.”
She adds: “Drinking on an empty stomach means that you feel the effects quicker and more strongly, which may lead to increased feelings of paranoia, anxiety, and depression.”
UNDER PRESSURE
“PUTTING too much pressure on yourself to have the ‘best’ time possible can leave you feeling worried, upset or even depressed if it doesn’t go according to plan or live up to your unrealistic expectations,” says Kate.
“At festivals, there are a lot of factors outside of your control, such as the weather, that may not make it the experience you wanted it to be, or a band or artist you were looking forward to watching cancelling their performance at the last minute.
“Therefore before going, try not to set your expectations too high and you’ll be more likely to enjoy yourself.”
Myrkl tablets
MyrklMyrkl x30 Capsules, £30[/caption]
DREADING a hangover before your first sip of warm beer?
You could try ‘anti-hangover’ pills, like Myrkl capsules – sold as a food supplement, they are designed to leave you feeling fresher the next day.
Anti bac wipes + hand sanitiser
AldiPowerforce Antibacterial Citrus Biodegradable Surface Wipes 72 Pack, £1.09, Aldi[/caption]
THE toilet situation is likely to be unpleasant, so be sure to have a stash of anti-bac wipes and hand sanitiser on you.
Powerforce Antibacterial Citrus Biodegradable Surface Wipes 72 Pack, £1.09, Aldi
Puritizer Hand Gel Anti Bac 100ml, 59p, Aldi
Sanitary products
MooncupMooncup, £23.50[/caption]
UNFORTUNATELY, menstrual cycles don’t respect the festival roster.
So if you are due your period, remember to pack tampons, towels or your moon cup.
Insect repellent
BootsJungle Formula Maximum Roll-on Insect Repellent 50ml, £6.60, Boots[/caption]
MOSQUITO bites, bee and wasp stings, and even spider bites are a possibility when you’re spending time outdoors.
Cover up as much as possible to limit skin exposure, and try an insect repellent to increase your chances of not being savaged.
Jungle Formula Maximum Roll-on Insect Repellent 50ml, £6.60, Boots
Hydrocortisone cream
BootsHC45 1% hydrocortisone cream £5.49, Boots[/caption]
IF you do get bitten by a bug, a thin application of a hydrocortisone cream can bring the itchiness and swelling right down.
HC45 Hydrocortisone Cream, £5.49, Boots
Antiseptic cream
TescoSavlon Antiseptic Cream 100G, £4.20, Tesco[/caption]
SKIN can take a real battering, but antiseptic creams can be a saviour when it comes to minor rashes, cuts, eczema and sunburn.
Savlon Antiseptic Cream 100G, £4.20, Tesco
Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream 60G, £2.10, Tesco
Condoms
SuperdrugSuperdrug Extra Sure Condoms 12s, £6.99[/caption]
YOU don’t want to leave a festival with a load of great memories as well as an STI – pack condoms!
Superdrug Extra Sure Condoms 12s, £6.99
Ear plugs + sleep mask
AmazonGritin Silk Sleep Eye Mask, £5.89, Amazon[/caption]
SLEEPING in a hot, stuffy tent is never easy, but ear plugs and a blackout eye mask will help make drifting off a little less painful.
Get the odd nap during the day when you can too!
Boots Mouldable Wax Earplugs – 5 Pairs, £2.70
Gritin Silk Sleep Eye Mask, £5.89, Amazon
Vitamins
AsdaBerocca Orange Energy Vitamin 15 Tablets, £5, Asda[/caption]
WAKING up in a tent – especially if your mattress has deflated overnight – is also pretty damning for your energy levels.
Give yourself a boost with a high strength multivitamin.
Berocca Orange Energy Vitamin 15 Tablets, £5, Asda
Dextro Energy Blackcurrant + Vitamin C Tablets 47G, £1, Asda
Mini first aid kit
AmazonMini First Aid Kit, £8.49, Amazon[/caption]
GOT space in your rucksack? It’s worth packing a portable first aid kit, complete with scissors and dressings.
And once you’re on site, always check where the medical tent is, in case of emergency.
Mini First Aid Kit, £8.49, Amazon
NEED TO KNOW
ALL kitted out? Now it’s time to get to grips with some vital festival health know-how:
St John Ambulance’s David Monk explains what to do if someone…
HAS OVERDOSED:
“If a friend or someone has used recreational drugs and seems to be unwell, it’s important to ask them what they have taken and when.
“The effects will be different depending on the type of drug and how the person has taken it.
“However, a few signs to look out for include shallow breathing, confusion or delirium, unusually large or small pupils and sleepiness leading to unresponsiveness.
“If you are worried about someone, get help from festival staff and seek medical advice immediately – they’re there to help prevent something from becoming more serious.
“Keep reassuring the person whilst they’re unwell and keep checking their pulse and breathing.
“If they do become unresponsive, call 999 and start CPR.”
IS VERY SUNBURNT
“Most sunburn is mild, but in severe cases the skin can become damaged and blister.
“If you or someone else is sunburnt, cover skin in light clothing and cool any red or damaged areas with cool water for ten minutes.
“Apply sunscreen to avoid any further damage – and make sure you/they drink plenty of water during this time too.
“If there are blisters, please do seek medical help from festival and event staff.”
HAS HEATSTROKE
“If you, or someone you’re with seems to be developing symptoms like dizziness, headaches, sweating but with pale clammy skin – they may be suffering from heat exhaustion.
“You can help by laying them down in a safe and cool place and elevating their legs.
“Make sure to give them lots of water, or isotonic sport drinks to replace the salt lost from sweating and keep an eye on their breathing and pulse rate.
“If they don’t recover after 30 minutes of lying down in a cool place, start to develop hot but dry skin and lose consciousness, seek medical help immediately.
“They may have heat stroke and this can be life-threatening.
“Place them in the recovery position and try to cool them down with a sponge or cloth with cool water, while you wait for medical help to arrive.”