Summer is here! School is out, the days are long, and the pools are open. Make the most of this summer with your family by keeping everyone safe and healthy. From the physicians of Privia Medical Group North Texas, here are some tips on staying safe and healthy this summer.
Protect Yourself from the Texas Heat
North Texas is notoriously hot in the summer, especially in July and August. Even if you grew up in Texas and are accustomed to triple-digit temperatures, don’t get complacent about the dangers of extreme heat. Heat is by far the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States each year – more than hurricanes, tornados and flooding combined.
“Prolonged exposure to extreme heat may lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke,” explains Dr. Julie Tomberlin, a Mansfield pediatrician. “People who have an underlying health condition, such as high blood pressure, are at greater risk. In addition, the elderly, young children and pregnant women need to be especially careful about being in the heat too long.”
In the Dallas/Fort Worth area, summer weather can also be humid, which makes it feel even hotter. High temperatures, coupled with elevated humidity, result in especially dangerous conditions. Meteorologists factor in humidity levels with actual temperatures to calculate the temperature humidity index – that’s what it actually feels like outside, similar to how a wind chill factor is used in the winter months.
According to the National Weather Service, an Excessive Heat Warning is issued ahead of “extremely dangerous heat conditions.” Generally, these are issued when the high heat index temperature is 105 degrees F or higher for two or more days in a row and the overnight low temperature does not fall below 75 degrees. The Weather Service may use a lower threshold for an Excessive Heat Warning for areas of the country that are not as accustomed to extremely hot temperatures.
NEVER leave a child (or pet) in the car. The inside temperature of a car can reach 170 degrees in just 10 minutes – and that’s when outside temperatures are in the 60s or 70s. Cracking the window makes no difference. Dozens of children die in the U.S. each year from being left in a car. Don’t ever leave a child, not even for a minute.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion occurs when a person loses too much water and salt from their bodies, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, nausea, heavy sweating and shallow breathing. If you experience these symptoms, get to a cool area and drink plenty of water. Applying a cool cloth or taking a cool bath can also aid recovery from heat exhaustion.
Heat Stroke
Even more dangerous is heat stroke. Heat stroke occurs when the body becomes extremely overheated and is unable to regulate its internal temperature. A person suffering from heat stroke can quickly reach a temperature of up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit. Symptoms of heat stroke include hallucinations, chills and dry, hot skin. If you think someone may be suffering from heat stroke, call 911 immediately and get the person to a cool area and soak them in cool water.
Drinking plenty of water, along with wearing loose-fitting and light-colored clothing (light colors reflect sunlight, whereas dark colors absorb it) are two of the most important things you can do to avoid heat-related illnesses in the summer. And be mindful of how long you’ve been outdoors; don’t overdo it with physical activity and stay in the shade whenever possible.
Protect Your Skin
The summer heat isn’t the only reason to stay in the shade. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause sunburn almost immediately, causing skin to redden and become painful and itchy. More problematic, sustained sun exposure can damage the skin’s cells over the long term and lead to skin cancer, the most common type of cancer among both women and men in the United States.
UVA rays penetrate the skin and are responsible for premature aging signs, such as wrinkles and spots. UVB rays primarily affect the surface of the skin, causing sunburn. Anyone who spends time in the sun is susceptible to skin cancer, but that’s especially true of fair-skinned people.
Sunscreen is Essential
The key to beating back those UV rays is a good sunscreen.
Sunscreens are classified by their Sun Protection Factor (SPF). You should use sunscreen with at least 30 SPF, which will block 97% of UVB rays. The higher the SPF, the more protection the sunscreen provides, but an SPF of 60 is not twice as protective as an SPF of 30. No sunscreen can block 100% of the sun’s UVB rays.
“When outdoors, reapply sunscreen every two hours and if you are swimming, reapply sunscreen every time you get out of the water,” says Dr. Charles Ewoh, an internal medicine physician in Fort Worth. “Keep in mind, a higher SPF does not mean the sunscreen lasts longer – you must reapply sunscreen every two hours, regardless of the SPF.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all sunscreens maintain their effectiveness for at least three years. If you have some sunscreen in the cabinet from last year, check the expiration date before you use it. If it is out of date, throw it away and buy some more.
Be generous when applying sunscreen! Most people don’t use enough of it. It’s also easy to forget about parts of your body that need to be protected – it’s not just your limbs, back and chest. You should apply sunscreen to every exposed area of skin, including your feet, hands and head. Your lips can also be harmed by the sun, so using lipstick or lip balm with SPF is a good idea, as well.
For babies and toddlers, it is best to minimize their time in the sun and protect them with loose-fitting clothing, a hat and sunglasses when they are outside. Sunscreen should generally not be used for babies under 6 months of age.
Using sunscreen consistently and correctly is one of the most important things you can do to prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage, including skin cancer.
Water Safety
Tragically, three children die each day in the United States because of drowning. Apart from birth defects, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4.
Teaching children to be strong swimmers is crucial to keeping them safe in the water. However, even if your child is adept at swimming, parents must never let their guard down around the water. Watch children closely in or near any body of water, whether it’s a backyard pool, a lake, a river or the ocean.
“When young children are in the water, it is absolutely essential that there be an adult close by, watching them continuously,” says Dr. Tomberlin. “In the time it takes to answer a phone call or read a text message, a child can go underwater and drown. Stay close and keep your eyes on children at all times.”
For people who have pools at home, installing a safety fence is highly recommended to prevent young children from getting in the water unsupervised.
Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Summer is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy nature. Your summer plans may involve a camping trip, a beach vacation or simply spending some time in the backyard. Be on guard against the pests and plants that can ruin your summer fun.
Mosquitos – Annoying & Sometimes Dangerous
Usually, mosquitos are simply annoying – when they bite us, we experience an itching and stinging sensation for a while. However, mosquitoes can also carry West Nile virus.
Most people who are infected with West Nile virus never know it, as the virus usually produces no symptoms. In about 20% of cases, West Nile virus causes body aches, headaches, diarrhea, vomiting and rash. While these symptoms do typically subside, fatigue can continue for a few months.
In less than 1% of West Nile cases, serious neurological illness, such as meningitis or encephalitis, can result. Permanent brain damage is possible in these cases and around 10% of people who get this form of West Nile will die as a result. People over the age of 60 are most at risk.
To protect your family from mosquitoes and the illnesses they can carry, do not allow standing water near your house. Mosquitoes love to breed in stagnant water, so be sure to eliminate any empty pots and containers from your yard and fill in any low spots that do not drain well.
Protect Yourself with Insect Repellant
When outdoors, protect yourself from mosquito bites by using an insect repellent with DEET, which has proven effective at repelling the types of mosquitoes known to carry West Nile virus. “Apply insect repellent to any exposed skin, such as your arms and legs,” says Dr. Ewoh. “Additionally, spray some into the palm of your hand and then rub it onto your face for maximum protection.”
Some insect repellents also provide protection against ticks, which can carry Lyme disease and other illnesses. Protection from ticks, in addition to mosquitoes, is important if your family’s summer plans include camping or hiking. Use the Environmental Protection Agency’s online tool to identify insect repellents that best suit your needs.
Can you use sunscreen and insect repellant at the same time? Yes! Insect repellant lasts longer, so you don’t have to reapply it as frequently as sunscreen.
Three Leaves = Bad News
If you’re going hiking or camping, take the time to learn what poison ivy looks like. The plant’s oil causes an allergic reaction when it comes into contact with human skin. While it’s not a serious threat to one’s health, it will make you miserably itchy. Less common in Texas are poison oak and poison sumac – both plants produce reactions similar to poison ivy. If you do encounter one of these plants, the best treatment is to wash the affected area with cool water and use calamine lotion to relieve itching.
Watch Out for Poisonous Spiders…
There are two types of poisonous spiders in the United States, and both are present in Texas: the brown recluse and black widow. A bite from one of these spiders causes intense pain, redness and swelling and can lead to skin necrosis – that’s when the cells in the skin begin to die. If you’ve suffered a bite that is producing unusually painful or long-lasting reactions, go to a doctor or hospital right away. Venomous spider bites can be treated with oral and intravenous antibiotics. Minimize your chances of spider bites by taking precautions in heavily wooded areas, such as wearing long clothing and close-toed shoes.
…and for Jellyfish
For many families, summer is not complete without a trip to the beach. Watch where you step when you’re walking in the sand, however. If you step on a jellyfish, you’ll have a painful and possibly dangerous experience. Most jellyfish stings result in immediate pain and reddening of the skin. If stung by a jellyfish, remove any tentacles that become embedded in the skin and wash the affected area with seawater. Rinsing the area with vinegar can also help to deactivate any stingers that were dislodged. Finally, soak the affected area in water for a few minutes. In rare cases, a jellyfish sting can cause a systemic reaction and require immediate medical attention.
Have a Great Summer!
By taking a few precautions to protect yourself and your family, you’ll better be able to keep everyone safe and healthy all summer long. By reducing your risk of preventable illness and injury, your summer will be more enjoyable and less stressful.
Happy summer and stay cool!
This article contains information sourced from:
