Take care in the heat

@Dimity thank you for this. I got very sick a few years ago because my anti-psychotic medication interacts with the heat and no one warned me about it. I have a glass of carrot juice with a teaspoon of salt first thing in the morning and keep drinking Hydralyte and water during the day. Brocca can also be helpful. It is good to check with a pharmacist with anything being taken over the counter first though.

Tip for people who have to work in the heat: Under Equal Opportunities law in Australia, people on anti-psychotic medication have a right to reasonable adjustments in the workplace to account for hot days. Things like extra breaks, working indoors, going home early and using sick days on extremely hot days. You do need a letter from a doctor to get this, but the doctor does NOT need to share your diagnosis with your employer. The doctor just has to say you have a medical reason for having extra risks in heat, your employer isn't allowed to ask why.

@Dimity the meds cause heat dysregulation. I've lived with this myself. I have aircon in one room of the house. I close all doors in the house, pull down bamboo blinds and indoor vertical blinds.

I use foil as insulation on my windows. I think you can buy it from ebay or Bunnings

Theres cooling gel mats you can buy I got mine from Catch of the Day when they were in business as well as engineered cooling cloths from Amazon to rinse and put around your neck.

An aromatherapist told me peppermint essential oil has cooling properties and you can put in a cold bath or footbath or rinse through a wet towel. I've found it to be even more cooling than just a cold bath alone! Many of the chemist brands dont work because they are so diluted. Best to go with an organic brand and keep in your fridge. Take precautions as some people cant use essential oils and the same cautions goes for pets.

Thanks for those suggestions @Ruby26 @SmilingGecko .

I remember years ago there was a cooling peppermint spray - fantastic for feet. Just googled it but current brands have very mixed reviews.

@Dimity @Ruby26 @SmilingGecko hi all thank you for the heads up. my first thoughts were oh great just another thing we have to worry about! my middle son is on a cocktail of anti psychotics and has epilepsy and is susceptible to seizures due to over heating. i will definitely pass this onto his information onto his support workers.

It's a worry @Bunniekins . We do need to be aware. You take care too.

Don’t forget to also looking into energy rebates if you have a health condition that makes it difficult to regulate your body temperature. I actually need to renew mine. I have fibromyalgia and that impacts on my body’s thermostat. A form from your energy provider filled out by your gp.

I really struggle with the heat and not looking forward to the next few days here in Sydney.

Thanks @Bow I'd never heard of it.

In Victoria it's called the Medical Cooling Concession and covers a percentage of your bill 1st Nov - 30 Apr.

See https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au/medical-cooling-concession