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LONDON: A British Muslim physician on Thursday shared his tried and examined ideas with pilgrims who’re about to take part within the first post-pandemic Hajj open to foreigners, which incorporates making ready for the extraordinary summer time warmth, and carrying vital medicines.

Dr. Imran Zia, medical director for emergency medication at Barts Well being NHS Belief, has accompanied British teams on Hajj as each a medical professional and a information no less than 15 instances.

Throughout a webinar hosted by the Council of British Hajjis, the veteran well being employee defined how pilgrims ought to put together for summer time temperatures of over 40 levels Celsius.

“Umbrellas are very helpful, particularly within the warmth and the temperature in the intervening time is prone to be between 40 and 45 levels. We aren’t used to such excessive temperatures within the UK and I’d encourage you to put on gentle colours and use sunscreen. Keep away from going out within the afternoon if you happen to can,” Zia mentioned.

Because the Hajj includes a number of strolling between the holy websites within the scorching warmth, Zia suggested pilgrims to break-in the footwear they plan to make use of.

“Please stroll within the sandals that you’re going to take with you. Yearly we see individuals shopping for a brand new pair of sandals, taking them to Saudi Arabia, after which getting blisters. You have to put on in these sandals now.

“In the event you really feel that the soles of your ft are going to present you issues, then I’d encourage you to purchase good high quality insoles, and glue them to the within of your sandal. You’ll discover that that provides you with an immense quantity of reduction. It’s such as you’re strolling on air.

“In the event you’re diabetic, I’d discourage you from taking flip-flops as they encourage infections, pores and skin breakages, sweatiness, and can probably provide you with issues. So it’s higher to get sandals with straps you can safe,” the medical skilled mentioned.

Zia additionally addressed the infamous Hajj cough that many pilgrims get as a result of dry and dusty atmosphere and the truth that individuals from all around the world have gathered in a single place.

“With the Hajj cough, which sadly many individuals get, the onset is fairly fast. It comes on very abruptly and your temperature will go up and down. You should have a pronounced headache and it’s actually fairly extreme. Having a sore throat is quite common. It’s a dry cough and also you’ll really feel actually achy, such as you’ve been hit by a bus,” Zia mentioned.

“Sadly, there isn’t any medicinal pill I can advocate that you just take apart from utilizing easy measures corresponding to paracetamol to maintain the temperature down, lozenges to assist with the sore throat, gargling with saltwater, and having a relaxation.”

He mentioned the easiest way to forestall getting the Hajj cough is to put on a face masks, hold one’s mouth lined, and observe good hygiene.

“In the event you see somebody coughing, hold your distance,” the physician mentioned.

He additionally highlighted the significance of pilgrims taking a adequate quantity of medication for many who have current well being situations.

“Take loads of medicine. One factor I’ll say about medicine is that it is best to take it in your hand baggage. Additionally pack some in your maintain baggage. And if it’s actually vital medicine that you do not need to get misplaced, pack it with the one who’s accompanying you as nicely, with a overlaying letter,” Zia mentioned.

“Some drugs, particularly for most cancers or diabetes are simply not accessible. Take a repeat prescription with you in order that if you happen to do turn out to be sick, individuals know what medicine you’re on. When you’ve got a severe situation, I’ll at all times encourage you to take the title of your hospital guide, the hospital guide’s contact quantity or the secretary of their division, and your hospital quantity with you.”

He additionally suggested individuals who normally put on contact lenses to keep away from doing so in the course of the pilgrimage and to pack a spare pair of spectacles.

“I’d encourage all of you to keep away from contact lenses, if doable. It’s probably that you just’re going to be awake for a lot of hours within the dusty environments and endure from lack of sleep. The very last thing you need to do is to get an eye fixed an infection. And take a spare pair of spectacles,” Zia mentioned.

Lastly, the physician shared his golden listing of “Ps”:

Prescription listing, of all prescribed medicine

Affected person particulars with contact numbers, particularly if in case you have an ongoing drawback

Paracetamol will assist scale back a temperature

Plasters for blisters 

Petroleum jelly (unscented) will ease chafing between the legs

Penicillin/antibiotic if you happen to can get hold of this medicine