Expert warns women not to put ice lollies 'down there' during heatwave
The combination of scorching temperatures, blazing sunlight and high humidity can drive people to extreme measures in a bid to cool down.
Apparently, this includes moving iced sweet treats 'down below' to reduce internal temperatures.
In light of this alarming trend, which reportedly reared its ugly head during the record-breaking heatwave that wreaked havoc on the UK earlier this week, a number of experts have spoken out over the risks involved.
For anyone lucky enough to have missed it, temperatures earlier this week annihilated the highest daily minimum recorded following an equally baking bank holiday Sunday. The heat even refused to relent through the night, with those living in London enduring minimal temperatures of 21.3°C through the night after daytime highs of 34.8°C.
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Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan previously noted: "We rarely see temperatures above 35°C, even in the summer months. So, to see temperatures getting close to 35°C in May is, as I say, pretty historic."
Desperate to escape the overbearing heat earlier this week, some Brits reportedly turned to a controversial 'cooling down' hack that intimate health experts are strongly against - applying an ice lolly to their nether-regions.
Speaking out as the warm summer months draw closer, sexual wellness expert Frankie Morris, from adult retailer SoloFun, issued a stark warning against pressing any frozen food onto genitalia, no matter how high temperatures climb.
"We aren't used to this heat, so it's obvious why people go to these extremes, but doing so will put your health at risk," she explained.
While lollies and popsicles being applied 'down there' might provide some brief, immediate relief from the heat, it's a decision that could have much more serious, long-term health consequences.
"Ice lollies, frozen food or anything else sugary near your intimate areas is going to cause you a problem," Morris continued. "The skin around these areas is sensitive to extreme cold, sugar, and flavourings that were never meant for intimate use.
"Using them in this way can cause irritation, discomfort and infections."
While this warning certainly applies to men, with frozen products touching their private parts potentially causing ice burn, the risk is much more prevalent to women, especially when it comes to insertion.
As well as irritation and infection, inserting an ice lolly into the vagina could increase the risk of it breaking while inside, which could result in a vast number of further issues, including trauma.
"If something has not been designed for intimate use, then it shouldn't be used there," Morris reiterated.
When it comes to cooling down safely, she suggests sticking to cold showers, wearing breathable cotton underwear, and choosing loose clothing.
It's also vital to stay hydrated, consume as much water as possible, and keep your room as cool as possible.
Morris concluded: "There are plenty of ways to cool down during this heatwave that don't involve putting your health at risk.
"While the heat is uncomfortable to many of us right now, the answer isn't to reach for something from the freezer and use it somewhere it was never meant to go."
Topics: Food and Drink, Weather, Women's Health, Health, UK News
Rhianna Benson