Sunburn and Heatstroke
Of all the potential health risks in the Dominican Republic, the sun is the arguably the most dangerous. The increased chances of developing skin cancer after constant over-exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun are well documented. Heatstroke, meanwhile, is where the body severely overheats, much like a car engine, and is the more immediate - and sometimes fatal - consequence of getting too much sun.
The sun, therefore, should be treated with the same suspicion as mosquitoes and unprotected sex, and measures to protect yourself from its ultraviolet rays are just as important as malaria pills and condoms. Wear a good sun-block to protect your skin and a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes. If traveling in an open-backed vehicle or on a motorbike, wear a shirt. Use a wide-brimmed hat, cover up as much as is possible and practical in the heat, and avoid being out in the midday sun from 12.00 to 3.00pm. Finally, don't be suckered into thinking that there is no risk when it's cool and overcast, since on these days 80% of the ultraviolet radiation can still be present.
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