Ah, the sweet smell of summertime is in the air. In just a few weeks, spring will bloom into a full-blown sizzlin’ summer. You know what that means—school’s out, sun’s out, and a whole new batch of safety concerns are coming to light as well. In the healthcare profession, we see an increase in season-related patient visits to hospitals and clinics during this time of year. Why? More people are exposed to heat and humidity which can cause higher levels of pollen and bacteria. Plus, sometimes our bodies succumb to some natural traps outdoors like bug bites or rashes.
1. Heat Exhaustion
When the summer heats up, our bodies tend to be more susceptible to illnesses from overheating. Cases can range from a mild case of heat exhaustion all the way to heat stroke can occur when we are out during hot hours over exerting ourselves and not drinking enough water. Hyperthermia is especially bad for those who suffer from chronic conditions that make it more difficult to cool down. The early signs of heat exhaustion are cramps, excessive sweating, weakness, and nausea. If this occurs, you definitely should seek medical treatment. What does the doctor suggest? Seek refuge in air conditioning on blistering days, avoid doing outdoor activities at certain times a day, drink plenty of water, and limit physical activity in certain heat.
Between spring and fall, risks of asthma spike due to all the air humidity which drives increases in pollen and mold growth. Additionally, it causes all that air pollution and smog to absolutely attack the bejesus out of a asthma sufferer. What does the doctor suggest? To just stay inside (with air conditioning) on days where air pollution or pollen is high. Check out airnow.gov for daily air quality levels.
3. Foodborne Illnesses
Tis the season for cookouts and picnics of epic proportions. It’s also the season where perishable foods are likely to be exposed to temperatures 90 degrees Fahrenheit or more. The result? Double the cases of food poisoning in the summer months which can cause terrible illness such as dehydration, diarrhea, and vomiting. Older adults with chronic conditions , young children, or people with bad immune systems should especially watch out for eating any food that may have grown bacteria in the hot conditions. What does the doctor suggest? Keep all those perishable food items kept cold with refrigeration and ice coolers.
4. Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear)
Who doesn’t love to cool off with a nice, cool dip on a one of those scorching hot summer days? Unfortunately, you still have to watch out for getting water stuck in your ear canal after showering or swimming. During the summer, the high temperatures and humidity grow that nasty fungi and such that cause swimmer’s ear. Swimmer’s ear is a common ear infection that causes a crazy amount of doctors visits annually. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 2.4 million visits are related to Otis Externa each year. What does the doctor suggest? If you get water in your ear clean it out with a towel by tilting your head and pulling your ear lobe down. If that fails, a hair dryer can do the trick—-just keep it on low and a few inches away from your ear. What you shouldn’t do is try to clean it with a cotton swab. If you clean your earwax out, then you steal away the protective properties of your ear.
5. Lyme Disease
Insect-spread diseases peak in the summer—and Lyme Disease is the biggest player in that game. In fact, most cases occur in June and July when more people are camping, hiking, doing yard activities, and other outdoor exposure happens. Lyme Disease can cause body aches, rash, headaches, and more after just one bite from a tick. If medical treatment doesn’t intervene, it can lead to even more daunting problems such as heart or nerve damage. What does the doctor suggest? Always use a repellent (with 20%+ DEET) and search your whole body after being in wooded areas.
6. Urushiol Allergic Reactions
Poison oak, poison sumac, and poison ivy all contain a oil called urushiol in which about 85% of people are allergic. Although these rashes are common and can be just taken care of with calamine or hydrocortisone, medical attention should be sought if it appears on places like your face (eyelids, lips especially) or genitals. What does the doctor suggest? If hiking, avoid walking through long shrubbery if you have skin exposed.