EVERETT — An incoming heat wave is expected to scorch Washington for the next several days. Here’s what you can do to beat the heat.
On Friday, temperatures in Snohomish County rose to 88 degrees or more, with highs expected to climb above 90 degrees for some parts of the county this weekend. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory from Friday through Tuesday at 10 p.m.
Highs are projected to stay above 80 degrees through July with few days of rain, according to the weather service’s Climate Prediction Center.
To prevent heat stroke, sunburn, rashes and other heat-related illnesses, the county health department recommends:
• Limiting direct sunlight exposure;
• Staying hydrated;
• Closing curtains or blinds and avoiding heat-omitting devices such as ovens;
• Planning outdoor activities for cooler times of day;
• Wearing protective clothing, sunglasses and hats; and
• Wearing sunscreen.
Dieter Schmidt, a physician at Frontier Dermatology in Mill Creek, recommends a sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and reapplying it every two hours.
Washington has a higher melanoma skin cancer rate than California, Florida and Texas. From 2016 to 2018, the state’s cancer registry reported about 1,700 new melanoma cases and 66 deaths in the county. Snohomish County is a melanoma hot spot, with an average case rate higher than the state level.
People are at higher risk for skin cancer if they have a fair complexion, light hair and eyes, or are immunocompromised.
“Be extra diligent about sun protection if you are on medication,” county health department spokesperson Kari Bray wrote in a press release Friday. “If you’re not sure whether photosensitivity is a side effect of your medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.”
Photosensitivity, a chemical change in the skin that increases sensitivity to sunlight, is a potential side effect of some medications.
People experiencing symptoms of heat-related illness, including dizziness, nausea, headaches or muscle cramps, should move to a cooler location. Seek medical attention if symptoms do not improve, the health department advised.
Fans may not be enough to prevent heat-related illness. Snohomish County has a list of 37 public cooling centers that provide air conditioning.
“We hope you enjoy the sunshine,” Bray wrote, “and that you stay safe, healthy, and sunburn-free.”
Sydney Jackson: 425-339-3430; sydney.jackson@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @_sydneyajackson.
Sydney Jackson is a health reporter for The Daily Herald. Her work is supported by the Health Reporting Initiative, which is sponsored in part by Premera Blue Cross. Learn more and donate: heraldnet.com/health-reporting.
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