Pregnancy: Tanning and Heat cramps

Heat cramps or muscle spasms are considered to be a heat illness and usually arise when an individual does a lot of activity or exercise in the sun and is not sufficiently hydrated. The loss of salt and water from perspiration causes the spasms in the legs (calf muscles), arms and abdomen.

If a pregnant woman decides to take a walk and get some sun on a bright warm day, she could put herself at risk to heat cramps from heavy sweating and not enough intake of water. Wearing cool but protective clothes, sun block, eating a banana for potassium and drinking lots of water can help prevent such spasms developing. Similarly, if an expectant mother walked a long distance before using a sun bed with high Ultraviolet exposure, she can put herself and her unborn baby at risk due to the cramps that can develop.

If heat cramps are experienced or any unusual spasms in the abdomen, a pregnant woman should seek medical attention immediately.

Tanning and Pregnancy:

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• Tanning and Pregnancy
• Pregnancy: Hair removal before or after tanning
• Using hair removal creams when pregnant
• Pregnancy: Use of insect repellents when tanning
• Pregnancy: Skin sensitivity and itching when tanning
• Pregnancy and Sunbathing
• Pregnancy: Tanning, Heatstroke and Hyperthermia
• Pregnancy: Tanning and Heat cramps

• Pregnancy and Sunless Tanning
• Pregnancy and Tanning Beds
• Pregnancy and Tanning Pills
• Pregnancy and Fake Tans
• Pregnancy and tanning with Henna
• Sun, UV care and the law

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