According to an emergency consultant at Tallaght Hospital there has been an increase in patients presenting with serious sunburn over the past few weeks.
Dr Jim Gray told extra.ie that due to the recent heatwave there has been serious incidence of sunburn including 'some with blistering leading to secondary skin infection requiring antibiotics.'
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The majority of these patients were outdoor workers, men not wearing a top and those not wearing adequate sun protection.
The consultant said that the department has also seen an increase in patients presenting with heat exhaustion, constipation, due to dehydration, and syncopal episodes (collapse due to a blackout) due to heat.'
Dr Gray also warned that heat affects the very young and the elderly and that patients with pre-existing conditions are more prone to heat conditions including chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart conditions.
Last week temperatures tipped the scales at over 30 degrees, leaving the Irish public sweltering in the hottest heatwave we’ve had since the 1970s.
And Met Eireann says it’ll be more of the same this week, though things are expected to cool down ever so slightly in Connacht and Ulster.
With that in mind Dr Gray has this advice to those looking to make the most of the fine weather.
His advice is to wear sun protection, SPF 50 every 2 hours, a hat, sunglasses, light coloured loose clothes.
He also said that it is important to minimise alcohol consumption, avoid long periods in the sun, particularly from 11am to 3 pm.
Be mindful that food also goes off faster in hot conditions leading to food poisoning, Barbecued food is particularly dangerous if it isn't cooked properly.