With the festival season underway, Registered Nurse, Kelly Fisher gives her advice on how festival goers can stay safe and healthy this summer.
Prescription meds
- When packing your festival bags make sure to include any regular medication you are prescribed, don’t forget any emergency medication such as inhalers or epi-pens.
- Make sure these are packed securely and somewhere you can easily access.
- For epi-pens, it can be helpful to show people you are going with how to administer it, just in case you are unable to self-administer.
- Some festivals require proof of your prescription (depending on the medication), check with the organiser before you leave home, as each festival will have different rules.
Hearing protection
RNID research found that 58% of Gen Z respondents had experienced tinnitus or temporary hearing loss linked to loud music exposure at festivals and gigs.
- Invest in reusable, filtered concert earplugs to lower the volume of music to safer levels while maintaining vocal clarity and the bass.
- Avoid standing directly in front or near stage speakers, and take regular breaks from the main stage for 5-10mins every hour.
- Post-festival, take a few days with no headphones or loud music to allow your hearing to recover.
- Speak with your GP if you are worried that your hearing has been impacted, or is not returning to what is normal for you.
Alcohol + dehydration
- Drink water regularly throughout the day and don’t wait until you feel thirsty.
- Eating water-rich foods such as cucumber, tomatoes and strawberries can also help maintain hydration levels.
- Alcohol and heat can quickly increase dehydration, dizziness and exhaustion, especially at day-long outdoor events.
Sun + heat protection
- If you are outdoors all day, sweating or spending long periods in direct sun, reapply SPF more frequently than usual.
- Take breaks in the shade during the hottest part of the day, typically between 11am and 3pm.
- Symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and headaches can be early signs of heat exhaustion.
Hygiene essentials
- First aid kit for minor health problems and include anti-diarrhoea medication, rehydration sachets and burn gel.
- Pack a robust arsenal of (60-80%) alcohol based hand sanitiser, biodegradable wet wipes, a lightweight microfibre towel, and a stash of toilet paper to navigate the weekend.
- Remember that hand sanitiser is most effective when hands are visibly clean, so make sure you are still washing your hands with soap and water, to remove any grease or dirt.
Hay fever + pollen
- Apply petroleum jelly around the nostrils to help trap pollen particles.
- Wear sunglasses outdoors to help protect eyes from pollen irritation.
- Wearing a mask in windy weather may help reduce pollen exposure.
- Antihistamines, nasal sprays and eye drops can help relieve irritation and congestion.
Tick + insect risk
- Tick bites are increasing across the UK, so festivalgoers should consider packing insect repellent, particularly for camping festivals or rural sites.
Kelly Fisher is a Clinical Health and Wellbeing Educator at not-for-profit healthcare provider Benenden Health. Kelly also has extensive NHS experience across public health, sexual health, and physical health training, with a background in adult nursing and specialist community public health.
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