Summertime Health Hazards

Summertime calls for pool days, barbeques, and spending time outdoors with family and friends. This is a great way to enjoy this season, but it is important to remember how to keep you and your family safe and protected. Here are a few important things to look out for when making the most of this summer.

Heat

While it feels great to bask in the summer sun, it is important to keep you and your family safe in the heat with these tips.

• Always wear at least SPF 30 sunscreen whenever you are outside and reapply every 90 minutes to prevent any sunburn or damage to your skin.
• Wearing hats and sun shirts are another precaution to prevent overheating and sunburn.
• Sweating can lead to dehydration, so drink plenty of water or electrolyte drinks to replenish your body.

Heat-related illnesses can be extremely dangerous, here are some common illnesses and what to do if you experience symptoms:

• Heat cramps are muscle spasms in the stomach, leg, or arm, often occurring during exercise and can be very painful. Stop any exercise and move to a cool area out of the sun, slowly drinking water or a sports drink until the cramps subside.
• Heat exhaustion looks like heavy sweating, pale skin, fast pulse, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness. In case of heat exhaustion, move out of the sun into a cool place, remove any excess clothing to cool down, place wet clothes on your body or take a cold bath, and sip water.
• Heat stroke is a medical emergency, and symptoms may look similar to heat exhaustion but are more dangerous. Signs include high body temperature, red and dry skin, headache, dizziness, nausea, or fainting. Call 911 and move the individual to a cool place to try and lower their body temperature with cool rags. Do not allow them to drink anything.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency, and symptoms may look similar to heat exhaustion but are more dangerous. Signs include high body temperature, red and dry skin, headache, dizziness, nausea, or fainting. Call 911 and move the individual to a cool place to try and lower their body temperature with cool rags. Do not allow them to drink anything.

Insects and Snakes

When spending time outside, there are many insects and critters to be aware of, so protect against any bites or stings with these tips.

• Use an Environmental Protection Agency-approved bug spray containing DEET.
• Avoid clothes with floral patterns or bright colors.
• Wear closed-toed shoes when outdoors or in wooded areas.
• Be mindful of where you step: try to avoid tall grasses or stepping in small crevices.

If you are bitten or stung, here is what you should do:

• If you receive a non-venomous snake bite, wash the bite with soap and water and cover with a clean dressing.
• For a venomous snake bite, seek medical attention immediately and apply first aid in the meantime.
• If you are stung, remove any visible stinger with your fingernail or a stiff credit card, do not use tweezers. Wash the sting with soap and water, and use ice to reduce any swelling that may occur.
• Typical bug bites result in red, itchy, or painful bumps that may have some minor swelling. If severe pain continues after a bite or sting, you experience an allergic reaction such as hives, flushing, or dizziness, or the area becomes infected, you should seek medical help from Harbin Clinic Immediate Care or the nearest emergency medical center.

If you are looking for more fun ways to spend your summer, check out our page Prescribe Outside.