| Summer Brings Outdoor Fun and
Risks Tri-City Voice, June 18, 2008
Learn How to Protect Yourself from
Serious Injury and Illness
Summer is just around the corner and
with it, some of the risks associated
with spending more time outdoors. But
there are steps you can take to protect
yourself and your family while you enjoy
the warm summer months.
“You can avoid mishaps this summer by
thinking ahead,” says Dr. Shelli Bodnar,
a family practice physician with
Washington Township Medical Group.
“Staying safe is really about using good
judgment.”
Sun Protection
Protecting yourself from the sun’s
powerful rays is critical to preventing
skin cancer. The key is to limit sun
exposure, wear protective clothing and
use sunscreen. Sunscreen should be
applied 30 minutes before going outdoors
and reapplied at least every two hours.
Use water-resistant sunscreen with a sun
protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.
Avoiding the sun during the peak hours
of 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and wearing a
wide-brimmed hat can also reduce your
risk for sunburn.
If you do get a sunburn, make sure
you use plenty of moisturizing cream.
Aloe works well for relieving the
burning sensation as does ibuprofen,
which can also reduce any swelling.
Time spent in the sun and heat can
also bring on heat exhaustion or even
heat stroke. Make sure you drink plenty
of water on hot days. If you begin to
feel dizzy or sick to your stomach, get
out of the heat immediately.
Bug Bites
More time outside means a greater
chance of getting bitten or stung by
mosquitoes, ticks and bees. While
bothersome, for most the risk for
disease is very low.
Mosquito bites cause an itchy bump
that can be relieved with topical
anti-itch cream. Mosquitoes can carry
the West Nile virus, which causes
flu-like symptoms. While not common, it
is important to protect yourself with
bug repellent, especially at dawn and
dusk, when mosquitoes are most
prevalent. Repellent containing DEET is
the most effective, but DEET is not
recommended for children.
Ticks dig into the skin and literally
suck your blood, but they are usually
harmless, especially in California. The
biggest threat from tick bites is Lyme
disease, which causes muscle aches and
stiff joints. But Lyme disease is only
found in the black-legged deer tick,
which is rare in California.
“If you have experience successfully
pulling out a tick, it’s fine to do it
yourself,” Bodnar says. “You need to be
careful not to leave part of it in your
skin, which can become infected. If you
are concerned about Lyme disease, we can
pull it out for you and send it to the
lab to determine if it is a deer tick.”
Bee stings can be a big problem for
those who are allergic, but only a minor
inconvenience for most people. Treat a
bee sting by scraping the stinger away
in a side-to-side motion with a
fingernail. Pulling the stinger or using
tweezers may push more venom into the
skin. Wash the area with soap and water.
Scrapes,
Strains and Sprains
Summer is a great time for kids and
adults to get active by bicycling,
roller skating, playing sports, or just
getting some projects done around the
house. But that can also mean more
scrapes, strains and sprains.
Cuts and scrapes should be washed
thoroughly with soap and water.
Antibiotic creams are good, but keeping
the wound clean is most important. For
strains and sprains, its best to first
use ice. Ibuprofen can help reduce the
pain and swelling.
“If it really swells or turns purple
very quickly, it might be a sign
something is broken,” Bodnar says. “When
in doubt, come in for an X-ray so we can
make sure you get the proper treatment.”
Poison Oak
Spending time in the great outdoors
increases your chances of rubbing up
against poison oak, which can cause an
itchy rash. If you come in contact with
poison oak, wash your skin in cool water
as soon as possible to prevent the
spread. You should also put your clothes
right into the washer when you get home.
“The rash itself is not contagious,”
Bodnar says. “But if the oil from the
plant is on your skin or clothes, you
can spread it.”
The rash normally appears 24 to 36 hours
after exposure. To control the rash,
hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion
can help. You should also take an oral
antihistamine like Claritin or Benedryl,
however, if the rash is severe, contact
your doctor for stronger prescription
medicine.
“When you head outdoors this summer,
consider the risks and take the
necessary precautions,” Bodnar says. |
