In the midst of the holiday departure period, franceinfo looks back at the advice frequently given to holidaymakers and sorts out the truth from the lies.
Bison futé sees red, from Friday July 12 in the northwest quarter of France and up to the center-east on Saturday July 13. As for the rest of the territory, it is colored orange. Traffic is expected to be heavy on the roads of France. There is no doubt, the time for the big departures for summer vacation has come. On this occasion, franceinfo tackles eight preconceived ideas about the summer season. If you are planning to pack your bags, swim in the sea or a swimming pool, sunbathe on the beach or in a garden, sleep with the window open or stay on the terrace until nightfall, reading this article might interest you.
1 You should urinate on a jellyfish sting: false
Think again, the widespread belief that you should urinate on a jellyfish sting to calm the fire is actually false. When a jellyfish stings, its filamentary tentacles with venom-filled cells come into contact with its victim’s skin and cause a burning sensation.
“To make the pain disappear, it is necessary to remove these filaments”explains to franceinfo Jérémie Dherbometz, instructor trainer at the first aid association Protection Civile Paris Seine. Urine will therefore have no effect, according to him, except to relieve the injury for a short period of time. Indeed, the venom of the jellyfish is thermolabile, that is to say that it loses its properties on contact with heat. But any other hot liquid would have the same effect.
So what should you do if you get stung by a jellyfish? First of all, you can go to the first aid station. If the beach you are on does not have one or is not supervised, there are simple and effective methods. The National Sea Rescue Society (SNSM) recommends rinsing with seawater, preferably lukewarm. Not with fresh water, because “This would burst the remaining cells, releasing the venom.” and increasing the pain. Then, “The filaments can be removed by brushing the area with sand.”he explains. Thanks to this poultice, “the sand will absorb the filaments”. Be careful, you must not “scratch” the sting, in order to “do not scatter the filaments”.
If you are on a pebble beach, other means will do the trick. “Shaving foam and table vinegar are also solutionssays Jérémie Dherbometz. But I know few people who go to the beach with these products,” he smiled. “When you get home, disinfect the wound with an antiseptic and then apply an anti-inflammatory ointment.” and monitor developments, recommends the SNSM.
2 Citronella keeps mosquitoes away: quite true
How to enjoy an evening outdoors when mosquitoes are lurking? The famous citronella is one of the best-known weapons to keep them away. But is it really effective? “Lemongrass can work, it’s a repellentconfirms to franceinfo Anna-Bella Failloux, entomologist at the Pasteur Institute. But in reality, outside, the product is diluted in the air, so it becomes less effective”In other words, the product can work if used indoors with the windows closed.
But how can you prevent bites? This is a difficult question to answer, as mosquitoes are attracted by various factors. “We release molecules on the surface of our skin. Their composition depends on our genetics, our physical and mental state, what we have eaten, and this mixture will more or less attract mosquitoes.”states the researcher. So we are not all equal when it comes to bites. Bad news, then. There is still no miracle solution against mosquitoes.
However, there are some techniques to protect yourself from these insects. “All points of stagnant water must be removedrecommends Anna-Bella Failloux. These are mosquito nests”. Mosquitoes are particularly fond of the bowls under flower pots and pet water bowls. Finally, wearing long clothing and installing mosquito nets can help reduce the risks.
3 You should wet your neck before swimming: quite true
From a very young age, our parents or grandparents told us to wet the back of our necks before diving into the water. This is advice that sometimes displeases children, but which actually turns out to be very useful. “We must avoid sudden changes in temperature”recalls the National Sea Rescue Society (SNSM), responsible for monitoring certain beaches. “After prolonged exposure to the sun, enter the water cautiously and gradually”recommends the SNSM.
The association therefore advises getting wet “the neck, stomach, head or arms with cold water”. In this way, the body, whose temperature has increased after a long time spent in the sun, will get used to the cooler temperature of the water. “The temperature difference between air and water can cause hydrocution”assure the rescuers. It is therefore necessary to avoid subjecting one’s body to a sudden difference in temperature to limit the risk of fainting due to immersion in water. In addition to gradually entering the water, the SNSM advises: “don’t have fun throwing someone into the water” and not to hesitate to wear “a wetsuit for water sports, even if it’s hot”.
4 After eating, you have to wait two hours before going swimming: quite true
You have just had lunch, the sea is nearby and the sound of the waves attracts you. You want to go swimming. But you resist this temptation because you have always been told, from a young age, to wait an hour or two after eating before jumping into the water. Diving in soon after a meal would increase the risk of hydrocution.
However, no direct link has been established between the two, notes the SNSM. “Swimming after eating does not appear to be a direct risk factor for hydrocution”. This is more likely to occur when the body is warm – for example after prolonged exposure to the sun – and comes into contact with colder water. Be careful, however: if you have drunk wine or beer during your meal, the vasodilatory effect of alcohol increases the risk of vagal discomfort, warns the SNSM.
In case of vagal discomfort, vomiting may occur, especially if a person is in the digestive phase. In this case, it is always more difficult to provide first aid to a person who is vomiting, especially for “keep the airways clear”. Jérémie Dherbometz, instructor trainer at Protection civile Paris Seine, therefore recommends waiting “the digestion phase before swimming” in order to eliminate any risk. Either “Approximatly one hour”, according to him.
5 You need to prepare your skin with UV rays in a cabin, capsules or self-tanner: false
According to some of the advertisements that appear as summer approaches, you should prepare your skin for exposure to the sun with the help of UV sessions in a booth, carotene capsules or self-tanner. “This is totally false”judges Thierry Passeron, professor of dermatology at the University Hospital of Nice, contacted by franceinfo. According to him, these products do not “don’t prepare” the skin, or even are dangerous to health.
“UV in cabins is the worst. In the long term, we see some real disastershe notes. These UV rays significantly increase the risk of skin cancer”. In a file (PDF) on ultraviolet radiation and cancer risks, the National Cancer Institute estimates that UV in cabins is responsible for nearly 380 new cases of melanoma per year in France.
As for carotene, it has no effect on preparing the skin for the sun, according to Thierry Passeron. The skin contains three pigments that give it its color: hemoglobin, carotene and melanin. “It is the melanins that protect against the sun’s raysexplains the researcher. Carotene just gives an orange color to the skin”.
Finally, self-tanner only colors the surface of the skin. “It is a non-hazardous product that can give a nice aesthetic effectcontinues Thierry Passeron. But it does not replace sun protection in any way.”.
6 No need to protect yourself if you are in the shade: to be qualified
You are a seasoned summer visitor and are careful about the harmful effects of the sun. To avoid overexposure, you open your parasol at the beach. “I’m in the shade, no need for cream”you think. This preconceived idea is false. “The sun’s rays pass through a parasol if it is not anti-UV”, warns dermatologist Thierry Passeron. The only exception is that made by the shadow of a wall. If the shadow is total, the rays do not pass.
Also, you have to be careful of reverberations. “Sand, water, snow reflect UV rays”warns the professor of dermatology at the Nice University Hospital. So even in the shade, it is necessary to protect yourself. Same thing when the weather is cloudy. “Clouds filter infrared UV rays so we don’t feel the heat but a large part of the UV rays pass through”notes the dermatologist. “It’s not for nothing that we get the worst sunburn in Brittany”says Thierry Passeron.
7 You first have to go through sunburn to get a tan: false
First get over the sunburn and then get a golden tan: this cliché is often relayed, but in addition to being misleading, it is dangerous. “This preconceived idea can encourage people to want to get sunburned”deplores Professor Claude Linassier, director of the prevention, organization and care pathway division of the National Cancer Institute. “The sun can cause irreversible damage to the skin”he warns.
Overexposure is dangerous.“Sunburn is particularly dangerous in children: we now know that childhood sunburn causes skin cancer in adults.”warns the professor. Children’s skin is “thinner” and their pigment system, “immature”which makes them more vulnerable.
It is therefore necessary to protect yourself when exposed to the sun. The professor recommends “seeking shade, avoiding exposure during the hottest hours and wearing covering clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses”. Don’t forget the sunscreen. With this gear, you’re ready for summer.
8 Drinking very cold water is more refreshing: false
Obviously, you need to drink water regularly in summer, but at what temperature? When it’s very hot, you tend to choose a very cold drink. But be careful, this could be counterproductive. According to a study published in 2012 in the scientific journal Acta Physiologica, the body would store less heat after ingesting a hot liquid rather than a cold liquid.
The human body is thermoregulatory. This means that it maintains its internal temperature within normal limits, regardless of the temperature of the surrounding environment. “When you drink very cold, you have thermoreceptors in the human body that will say ‘the body temperature is dropping sharply, you need to warm up’. So, paradoxically, you are not going to quench your thirst.”explained general practitioner Jimmy Mohamed to franceinfo.
Jérémie Dhernometz is of the same opinion. “Temperate water is water at the ideal temperature”the trainer instructor explains to franceinfo. However, in the event of discomfort linked to the heat, “the victim must be cooled down to reduce the sensation of heat”, he recommends. “You must therefore give him very cold water, but in small sips; a full glass could cause thermal shock.”In any case, you should avoid drinking or eating iced food. “This reduces the feeling of thirst more quickly and you risk not hydrating yourself enough to cover your needs.”recalls the health insurance website.