Summer vacation is about being outside and spending time in the sun. Fun in the sun is not always the safest. Dehydration and sunburns in the summer months alone land thousands of people in the hospital. To avoid getting into that predicament, here are some helpful hints.

Cover up. Covering up is the first and best line of defense against the sun. Wear a hat with a brim and use sunglasses. Also wearing cotton clothing with a tight weave will help you to stay cool. The suns most destructive rays are exposed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During this time, it is important to limit your time in the sun if possible. Use a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or greater. Be sure to apply enough sunscreen. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating, even if it is considered waterproof.

When you do get sunburned, first the skin becomes red, tender and hot.

The next thing that happens is any touching or rubbing of the skin causes pain. Because heat triggers fluid loss, a sunburn victim can also become dehydrated.

For several days after exposure, the skin may swell, blister, and peel. Some sufferers develop welts or rashes.

More subtle exposures to the sun may not have any obvious immediate symptoms such as the ones listed above. They may also experience fever, chills, headaches, stomach issues, nausea, and dehydration.

If the sunburn is severe, you should seek medical attention. If the symptoms of sunburn are mild or moderate, the patient may drink plenty of water to replenish the fluid lost from the sunburn and to avoid dehydration. Apply dampened cloths or compresses to reduce the heat and lessen the pain. Soak in a bathtub of plain, soap-free water (soap can irritate the burn.) Gently pat the skin dry afterward - do not rub it. Apply a soothing cream, lotion, or another preparation approved by a physician or pharmacist. If blistering occurs, apply a bandage to prevent infection. If the discomfort is significant, take a painkiller such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Moisturizing with creams or Aloe Vera gel may also help with symptoms of sunburn.

Drink plenty of liquids. You do this to avoid dehydration, which is also caused by sunburns. Dehydration means your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. Dehydration can be caused by losing too much fluid, not drinking enough water or fluids, or both. Vomiting and diarrhea are common causes along with sun exposure. Symptoms include dry or sticky mouth, not producing tears, sunken eyes, lethargic or comatose

In addition to the symptoms of actual dehydration, you may also have vomiting, diarrhea, or the feeling that you "can not keep anything down," all of which could be causing the dehydration.

The treatment for dehydration is to drink fluids. It is better to have frequent, small amounts of fluid (using a teaspoon or syringe for an infant or child) rather than trying to force large amounts of fluid at one time. Drinking too much fluid at once can bring on more vomiting.

Electrolyte solutions or freezer pops are especially effective. These are available at pharmacies. Sport drinks contain a lot of sugar and can cause or worsen diarrhea. In infants and children, avoid using water as the primary replacement fluid. Intravenous fluids and hospitalization may be necessary for moderate to severe dehydration.

Fun in the sun will be much more enjoyable when you are not sitting in the hospital.