Summer is the time for outdoor activities and get togethers. These outings usually contain a lot of fun in the sun (and heat) and FOOD! The weekend warrior scenario in many cases extended as if we are all out of school on summer break! Swimming,boating and other water sports, bike riding, camping, hiking, going to the beach and cook-outs with tables of food (possibly sitting out in the heat for a while) are all part of the alure of these warm months but these summer events can also increase the chances of injury and illness.
Here is the most frequent summer Emergency Room visits
- chest pain
- difficulty breathing
- headache
- head injury
- abdominal pain
- fractures and sprains
- deep cut/laceration
- fainting
- motor vehicle accidents
- fever or other signs of infection
- signs of heat stroke
- signs of food poisoning
- burns
- bites (spider, snake, dog, cat)
There are some important 'do's and don't's' when dealing with the conditions above.
Don't -
- put butter on a burn (this only adds more to increase infection)
- pull out embedded object (doing so can cause more damage)
- use vinegar compress on burns (essentially adding acid to already burnt tissue)
- place only cold packs to sprains
- continue to exercise injured muscles (causes further injury)
- attempt to "get the venom out" of a bite injury (this allows more germs to enter injury site)
- sqeeze out bee stingers (this could push more venom to enter system)
Do -
- use soap and water to clean minor cuts, scrapes and burns, then cover with antibacterial ointment and loose bandage
- aloe may be used for minor sunburn. The key is to keep hydrated as much as possible.
- hold pressure to bleeding injuries, even nose bleeds. For nose bleeds, instead of tilting head back, pinch nose (as you would do to avoid stinky smells) for 10 minutes WITHOUT PEEKING! Pressure must be constant to be effective
- you may remove objects only if they are visible and close to the surface of the skin
- use sunscreen
- keep cook-outs safe by preparing food appropriately and keep easily spoilable foods cool and out of direct sunlight
- RICE-Rest, Ice for 20 minutes at a time with 40 minutes off for 1st 24 hours, Compress lightly with a bandage to help reduce swelling while still allowing good blood flow, Elevate injured part above heart if possible. Apply heat only when swelling is gone. For injuries that maintain swelling after several days or hender range of motion, seek medical treatment
- seek medical attention for any injury that is more than minor such as deep cuts, burns with blistering and/or lack of feeling, fractures, embedded objects, head injuries, injuries that are red/inflammed/draining or that just won't heal
Another common condition and it's treatment
Rashes due to poison ivy, oak or sumac-Calamine or Burrows solution and antihistamine. Contrary to popular belief, this type of rash is not contagious and can't be spread by touching it or scratching the blisters. It is spread only by contact with the oils of the plant.
