Summer is a warm and exciting time of year, but it comes with its own risks as well. This is especially true in Florida where the intense summer sun beats down and insects love to swarm. Make sure you are aware of these common summer health problems so that you can prevent them, if possible, and seek proper treatment when needed.
Heat Stroke
Heatstroke is a dangerous medical condition. If not caught soon enough, it can even become life-threatening. This problem develops when your body’s core temperature rises too much. It occurs most commonly after spending too much time in the unforgiving Florida sun.
Symptoms of heatstroke include:
- Confusion
- Short, rapid breathing
- Lack of sweating, even when overheated
- A fast pulse
Don’t take a chance with heatstroke; head to an urgent care center or call 911 immediately.
Bug Bites
Bug bites are uncomfortable and bothersome, but they can also be dangerous. Florida mosquitoes may carry infectious diseases like the West Nile Virus, while ticks often spread Lyme disease. Try to prevent bug bites and infection this summer by regularly applying insect repellent. Wear long pants and sleeves in buggy areas when possible.
Dehydration
Water is truly the body’s best friend, and it does more than simply quench thirst. Water is critical for survival and is responsible for keeping the body functioning. In fact, water supports major functions like blood circulation, metabolism, and nutrient absorption.
The body can’t store water, which is why it’s so important to drink water each day to replenish the body. Children lose extra water when they play sports since the body naturally sweats as a way to regulate body temperature and cool down. This means that if children don’t drink enough water before, during, and after participating in a sport, they place themselves at risk of dehydration.
Sunburn
Sunburn prevention is an important component of summer safety. The sun’s rays carry dangerous UVA and UVB rays that burn the skin and even lead to conditions like skin cancer. The first and most direct form of protection against the sun is to ensure you and your children wear SPF 30 sunscreen whenever you venture outside. Even if it’s cloudy, those UV rays are still hard at work, so sunscreen is always a necessity.
Sunscreen loses its strength after a few hours or after interaction with water, so it is wise to plan for other sunburn prevention methods. Try to schedule outdoor playtime before 10 A.M. and after 4 P.M. so that your children are not exposed to the sun’s most intense rays. Overall, the best prevention involves multiple lines of defense.
For any and all questions related to your health this summer, be sure to call TLC Medical to make an appointment.
