The summer months are here to enjoy outdoor picnics, family vacations, and summer sports. There are lots of reasons to get out and enjoy the sun.  Summer also means having to deal with dehydration, sunburns and bugs.  There are some toxic combinations of chemicals used to fight the not so fun side of summer

First, dehydration can easily occur with too much sun causing heat stroke.  Being active outside can lead to excessive perspiration that can cause dehydration.  In addition to perspiration alcohol and caffeine will both dehydrate a person.  Although, these drinks may be nice and cool while enjoying outside recreation they may be setting the stage for dehydration. There's no replacement, like good old water. Depending on the level of activity, a good electrolyte replacement maybe necessary to maintain proper electrolyte balance.

Second, another summer toxic combination is chemical based sunscreens with a chemical bug repellent.  The largest organ of the body is the skin.  By placing chemicals on the skin those chemicals may be absorbed into the body and have to processed by the liver.  According to the AMA, sunscreens and bug repellents should not be in the same package nor applied at the same time.  

Research is showing that with the chemical sunscreen can increase the absorption of the bug repellent.  In a Canadian study, applying the chemical sunscreen then a bug repellent increase the absorption by 10 percent when compared to using the repellent on its own.  Applying the repellent first then the sunscreen increase permeation by 47 percent and mixing the two together showed a 630 percent absorption of the sunscreen.

When using the combination sunscreen/bug repellent together it could create a very toxic situation for children.  Simply because sunscreens need to be applied more frequently and bug repellents only once.  Children are more susceptible because their skin is thinner and the chemical is easily absorbed and they have less body mass to deal with the excessive chemicals.

There are some natural alternatives that are very effective without creating a toxic load on the body.  Zinc oxide is a mineral that provides a physical sunblock of UVA/UVB rays.  The one downside is the white film it leaves.  There are some micronized formulations of zinc oxide that reduce the white appearance of the product. 

In the realm of bug repellent, one of Creative Compounds favorite products is Cactus Juice.  It contains the natural prickly pear and emollients that can really deter assaults of mother nature.  Creative Compounds is proud to carry this product.