Hot flashes and heat rashes.

I learned something today that left me feeling like a total idiot.

I just came from my OBGYN for my usual check up and as I was telling her how I'd been feeling the past few weeks, I chanced upon that terrible Sunday morning when I endured nearly 20 minutes of excruciating misery due to hot flashes. I wasn't overly melodramatic but I made sure she understood how horrible that experience was for me-- as I describe how it felt, complete with gesticulations and facial expressions. After my theatrical recount, she let out a light and non-condescending laugh and said, "Those weren't hot flashes. What you experienced was a form of heatstroke."

DOINK.

I can't believe I (along with other much older women who were mothers that I had spoken to) kept calling calling them hot flashes! Apparently, hot flashes occur due to declining levels of estrogen--something I'm obviously not experiencing right now. This is experienced by a woman during the early stages of menopause. I felt so ridiculous but at the same time was happy to learn something new today.

The heat really has been wreaking havoc on my sense of wellbeing (and my electricity bill) and is even causing my skin to develop rashes. While there's nothing I can do to magically draw rain clouds over the city and lower the temperature, I find that drinking lots of icy water is excellent for keeping you hydrated and cooling you down from the inside.

To avoid the sticky sensation on my skin, I apply Nivea Baby Calming Powder. I know it's for babies but who's to say mummies can't use it too? I don't know how much calming powers it actually wields, but it does ease the itching and rawness of rashes. You can also try mentholated body powder that has a cooling effect on your skin. Feels like you've slathered on some mint cream. Luscious.