Sunburn, Heatstroke & Jellyfish Stings: Summer Health Guide for Tangier

Summer in Tangier: enjoy it safely

Tangier in summer means 35°C+ temperatures, stunning beaches, and vibrant nightlife. But heat and sun come with risks. This guide gives you the right response for every situation — and when to call a doctor.

☀️ Sunburn: prevention & treatment

Prevention

• SPF 50+ sunscreen — reapply every 2 hours and after swimming
• Avoid sun exposure between 12pm and 4pm (peak UV)
• Wear a hat, sunglasses, and cover up during peak hours
• Children and babies must stay in the shade

Home treatment

• Apply cool (not ice-cold) compresses
• Aloe vera gel — available at any pharmacy in Tangier
• Paracetamol for pain (avoid aspirin/ibuprofen)
• Drink plenty of water

⚠️ When to see a doctor

• Burns with blisters (2nd degree)
• Fever accompanying sunburn
• Sunburn on a child under 3
• Large area of skin affected

🌡️ Heatstroke: a medical emergency

Heatstroke is a serious medical emergency. It occurs when the body can no longer regulate its temperature.

Warning signs

• Body temperature > 40°C (104°F)
• No sweating despite the heat
• Confusion, dizziness, severe headache
• Nausea, vomiting
• Red, dry, hot skin
• In severe cases: loss of consciousness

URGENT steps

1. Move the person to shade or a cool indoor area immediately
2. Cool them down — wet cloths on forehead, neck, armpits
3. Give small sips of cool water (if conscious)
4. Call a doctor immediately — Enurgence (the only official SOS Médecin service in Tangier): +212 664 548 412

⚠️ Heatstroke with confusion or loss of consciousness is a life-threatening emergency. Also call SAMU (141).

💧 Dehydration: the silent danger

Signs in adults

• Intense thirst, dry mouth
• Dark urine or no urination for 8+ hours
• Fatigue, dizziness when standing
• Persistent headache

Signs in children (watch carefully!)

• Crying without tears
• Dry diaper for 6+ hours
• Sunken fontanelle (infants)
• Unusual drowsiness

Prevention

• Drink 2-3 liters of water daily minimum
• Offer children water every 30 minutes
• Avoid alcohol and coffee during peak heat
• Eat water-rich fruits: watermelon, melon, oranges

For severe dehydration, Enurgence doctors can administer a home IV drip for rapid rehydration.

🪼 Jellyfish stings in Tangier

Jellyfish appear on some Tangier beaches in summer, especially Achakar, Playa, and sometimes Malabata.

What to do if stung

1. Exit the water calmly
2. Rinse with seawater — DO NOT use fresh water (it makes it worse)
3. Remove visible tentacles with tweezers or a rigid card
4. Apply white vinegar if available
5. Take an oral antihistamine for itching

When to seek medical help

• Allergic reaction: facial swelling, difficulty breathing
• Sting covering a large area
• Sting on a young child
• Intense pain lasting more than 1 hour

🦟 Insect bites

Mosquitoes, wasps, and bees are common in summer. Most bites are harmless, but see a doctor if: significant swelling, breathing difficulty, multiple stings (10+), or known allergic reaction.

🎒 Beach bag checklist

• ✅ SPF 50+ sunscreen
• ✅ Water bottles (2L minimum per person)
• ✅ Hat and sunglasses
• ✅ Oral antihistamine
• ✅ Hand sanitizer
• ✅ Paracetamol
• ✅ Small bottle of white vinegar
• ✅ Enurgence number: +212 664 548 412

When in doubt, call Enurgence. Better one call too many than a preventable complication. Our doctors arrive within 20 minutes anywhere in Tangier — home, hotel, or beach. 📞 +212 664 548 412, 24/7.

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