The December holiday break is just around the corner and it really could not have come sooner. For the most part, 2020 has been the year that we’ve all stayed indoors and now that we are free to roam again, and to go hiking, you might need a little refresher about how to avoid falling prey to some of the most common hiking injuries.
If a peaceful outdoor holiday is something that you have been looking forward to for the last few months, now is the time to book that weekend away, dust off your shoes and head out to an exhilarating hiking trail that will get your blood pumping and clear out the mental cobwebs. And while you are out there, be sure that you are aware of these hiking related injuries and how you can avoid them.
Sunburn
If you are hiking in Mpumalanga this holiday, you need to consider the possibility of getting really sunburnt. The heat in this part of the country can be insanely overwhelming and no matter what time of day you get outdoors, you run the possibility of burning your skin.
You have two ways to avoid a burn when outside. The first way is to dress in a way that you cover as much bare skin as possible while the second way is to use a really good quality sunblock. Covering up skin is impossible in the heat because with the intense humidity the last thing you will want to do is make things worse by adding layers. So your best option is sunblock, preferably an SPF50.
You should also have a hat and sunglasses and as much as possible, try to keep out of the midday and early afternoon heat.
Bug Bites
With the heat and the humidity comes the insects and getting bitten while hiking is something you can avoid.
Bug bites can lead to irritating infections or painful sores that will possibly ruin the rest of your hiking trip. And mosquitoes fall into the category of bugs as well, only that they can make you ill if they pass on malaria.
To avoid the insect bites you should apply repellents to the parts of your skin that are going to be exposed and if possible, cover up.
Muscle Cramps
After a year of little exercise the possibility of muscle cramps is very real, and after a few hours or a day on the trail, you can end up having cramps that stop you in your tracks and kind of ruin the rest of your trip.
Luckily, muscle cramps can be easily avoided when you know how to. Firstly, cramps are often the result of dehydration, so make sure that you drink loads of fluids. You can also pack some Rehydrate mix to give your body that extra boost. You can also take in more magnesium, either in the form of a supplement or you can pack some foods like bananas to give you that extra intake.
