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.
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.”
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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
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
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
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
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- Aftersun
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
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
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
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
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
- Myrkl tablets
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
