Summer is the high season of various ailments, from mild to potentially mortal. The best way to deal with the diverse consequences of these 5 warm climate ailments is to avoid them from the beginning.
Solar burns
Many people have a very carefree attitude regarding exposure to the sun, commented Dr. Payal Sud, Associated Chief of Emergency Medicine of North Shore University Hospital, located in Manhasset, New York.
“If they burn with the sun, they can say: ‘And what? Everyone burns a little,” he added. “Or they can try to tan.”
But beyond the short -term discomfort of a solar burn, having a history of solar or tan burn increases the risk of skin cancer.
By converting sun protection into a daily habit, you can prevent solar burns and reduce the risk of skin cancer.
“Try to avoid planning outdoor activities between 10 am and 4 pm,” Sud said. “If you need to be outdoors, look for the shadow whenever possible. Use hat and protective clothing, and most importantly, use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.”
Apply sunscreen should not be once. “Reaplilate it every 2 hours and immediately after swimming, even if the sunscreen is water resistant,” said Jacqueline Bober, DO, Emergency Pediatrician at the Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. “Do not forget to apply it behind the ears, the neck or the upper part of the head if it has any unprotected area. For children, a bar’s sunscreen works well for the face and facilitates avoiding contact with the eyes.”
Be sure to choose a wide winged hat to leave this summer. “Baseball caps do not cover the ears, which are a frequent focus of skin cancer,” Bober said.
If you suffer a solar burn, cold compresses and Aloe Vera can relieve it. “If you start peeling, let it rise on your own,” said Dr. Sud, pointing out that scratching can cause bleeding and infection.
Diseases transmitted by ticks
Tick bites can cause various diseases, but Lyme’s disease is the greatest concern in the northeast, and its risk is higher in summer. Lyme’s disease is caused by a bacterium that is transmitted through infected deer tick bites.
Reduce the risk by cutting the grass and, if there are deer in your garden, consider fumigating the property. “Avoid contact with high herbs, shrubs and wooded areas,” Sud said. “If you go to the forest, use insect repellent and wear long pants, long sleeves and a cap.”
Goet the pants inside the socks to create a barrier. The ticks usually enter over the socks and under the pants. They are dark, so they are easier to see in light -colored clothes. Upon returning home, review yourself, your children and your pets.
“Someone reviewing the scalp and areas difficult to see, as behind the ears,” said Bober.
If you find a tick, take it away as soon as possible with tweezers. Fill it near the skin and pull it with uniform pressure. If the tick retires in 24 hours, it is small and does not seem swollen, it is very unlikely that Lyme’s disease has.
But if the tick remains in the skin for a longer time or does not know how long it was there, a prophylactic antibiotic treatment can be recommended, especially if the tick seems swollen. It has been shown that a single dose of doxycycline after a high -risk tick sting reduces the risk of contracting Lyme’s disease.
This disease is associated with a classic cutaneous eruption in the form of Diana, but does not occur in all people. “Symptoms can include rash, fever, muscle aches and general discomfort,” Sud said. “It is important to treat Lyme disease with antibiotics immediately, since it could cause serious long -term problems that affect the heart, nervous system or joints.”
Heat -related diseases
Summer is the high season of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, caused by exposure to high temperatures, especially with high humidity and/or intense physical activity.
The symptoms of heat exhaustion include headache, excessive thirst, intense sweating, dizziness, tachycardia and increased body temperature. If the conditions persist, they could progress with heat stroke, a potentially deadly condition that can cause confusion, difficulty speaking, loss of knowledge and/or seizures.
“On hot days, stay hydrated and limit physical activity, especially during the hottest hours of the day,” Sud said. “Do not leave the children in a hot car, not even for a minute. If you feel too hot, go to a cool place and drink a lot of liquid. Place ice compresses on the neck, English and armpits can help to cool off.”
If someone presents symptoms of insolation, call 911. “The elderly, pregnant women and very young children have a higher risk,” Bober said.
Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes
In the United States, the western Nile virus is the most common mosquito disease and usually occurs in summer or autumn. Approximately 1 in 5 people infected with the western Nile virus have fever and other symptoms, and 1 in 150 develop a serious illness, which can be deadly.
“We see a couple of cases of western Nile virus in the emergency department every year,” said Bober. As there is no preventive treatment, it is best to avoid mosquito bites this summer. Mosquitoes reproduce in stagnant water, so do not allow water to accumulate in their property.
“Use comfortable long -sleeved t -shirts and long pants to minimize skin exposure and try to avoid being outdoors when it is dark,” Sud said.
Insect repellents, such as Aerosol Deet or eucalyptus and lemon oil candles, are effective to keep mosquitoes away. Use mosquito nets around baby strollers or camping. Look for medical attention if you have chopped and experience symptoms such as fever and headache.
Jellyfish bites
The jellyfish (Jellyfish) are an undesirable sighting on the beach, and it is better to stay away from them. “Pay attention to warning notices on jellyfish,” Sud said. “If you get, you can remove the sting with tweezers (or with your handled hand). Vinegar, seawater or hot water can help relieve pain.”
The lifeguards usually have a vinegar solution that can be sprayed on the affected skin. Free sales analgesics, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can also reduce pain, and benadryl can relieve itching, he said.
As Dr. Bober points out, in Long Island, New York, there are no highly poisonous jellyfish and bites are usually mild. However, if you experience systemic problems, such as breathing difficulty or chest pain, look for immediate medical attention.
