Summer is upon us! That means sunny skies, warmer temperatures, and vacation time. For many, summer is a time to get out and enjoy the sunshine and warm weather. However, summer also brings certain health risks that can easily be avoided with a few simple tips.
Here, our Pineville primary care physicians have created summer health tips to help you have a safe, yet fun season.
Summer Health Risks and How to Avoid Them
Risk: Dehydration
With more time spent outdoors in the summer, it is easy to become hydrated without realizing it. Generally, we replace lost fluids by drinking water or eating foods that contain water. If too much water is lost without replacing it fast enough, dehydration occurs.
Additionally, playing sports, hiking, and simply being outside in higher temperatures make sweating more likely. Sweating is important for regulating your body temperature and helping you cool off. However, excessive sweating increases the risk of dehydration.
Anyone can become dehydrated. Seniors, babies, those who are ill or have chronic conditions, and people who are active outside have an increased risk.
Symptoms of dehydration include:
- Increased thirst
- Dry mouth
- Decreased urination
- Dark yellow urine
- Headache
- Muscle cramps
As dehydration becomes more severe, you may feel dizzy, dry skin, a rapid heartbeat or breathing, and fatigue.
Primary Care Health Tip: Drink Plenty of Water
Avoid dehydration this summer by drinking fluids throughout the day. Drink a glass of water with each meal, and limit alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks. Keep a glass or bottle of water handy, especially when you are outdoors, for easy hydrating.
Additionally, you can snack on foods with a high water content. This includes watermelon, grapes, strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, and celery.
Risk: Sunburn or Sun-Damaged Skin
A sunburn is an unfortunate and painful side effect of spending time outdoors. It occurs when unprotected skin is exposed to the sun. The result is red, irritated skin. The longer the skin is exposed, the damage can lead to swelling and blisters.
Your skin type, the sun’s intensity, and how long you are exposed affect the likelihood of sun damage. Remember, that you can still experience a sunburn even when it is cloudy. The sun just may not be as intense on cloudy days.
Signs and symptoms of a sunburn include:
- Pink or red skin
- Blistered skin
- Fever
- Chills
- Nausea
- Headache
- Weakness
Sun exposure also increases sun damage on the skin. This results in premature aging, wrinkles, dark spots, and sagging skin.
Primary Care Health Tip: Wear Sunscreen Daily
Sunburns increase your risk of developing skin cancer. The best way to prevent sunburn, damage, and skin cancer is to wear sunscreen every day. This includes wearing sunscreen on cloudy days and even in the winter. While the sun’s intensity may be lower on cooler, cloudy days, your skin is still affected.
Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from sunburn, sun damage, and skin cancer. Use SPF 15 daily, but bump up to an SPF 30 sunscreen or higher when spending time outdoors. A broad-spectrum sunscreen protects your skin from the damaging UVA and UVB rays.
If you do experience sunburn, use cool compresses and aloe to soothe your skin. Also drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Risk: Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion
Heat stroke is a serious heat injury and is considered a medical emergency. If you show signs of heat exhaustion or sunstroke, call 9-1-1 or your primary doctor immediately.
Sunstroke can damage the brain and internal organs and even lead to death. Although people over the age of 50 are at a higher risk, healthy, young athletes can also be affected. Heat stroke occurs when milder symptoms of heat-related illnesses are left unattended. This includes cramps, fainting, and heat exhaustion.
The hot weather can bring about symptoms of heat stroke which include:
- High fever of 104℉ or higher
- Throbbing headaches
- Muscle aches and cramps
- Dry skin and lack of sweating (despite the temperatures)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rapid heartbeat
- Shallow breathing
- Seizures
- Confusion or disorientation
- Loss of consciousness
Primary Care Health Tip: Limit Strenuous Outdoor Activity
A key way to avoid heat-related injuries is by limiting time outdoors, especially on very hot days. If you have to work or be outside, schedule your activities to be out in the early morning or evening. The temperatures are lower during off-peak hours.
Additional ways to avoid heat exhaustion or heat stroke include:
- Wearing loose, lightweight clothing
- Staying cool indoors
- Taking a cool shower
- Pacing yourself and taking breaks
- Wearing sunscreen
- Avoiding heavy or hot meals
- Avoiding alcohol and sugary drinks
Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water is crucial on hot days! Always keep water with you.
Risk: Allergies
Seasonal allergies are possible year-round, but they are more common in the spring and summer months. This is because trees, plants, and flowers are in full bloom and pollen is more prevalent. Plants can emit pollen at different times of year, making spring through fall allergy seasons for those at risk.
When your immune system identifies pollen or an airborne substance that is generally harmless as dangerous, the result is hay fever. The body releases histamines into the bloodstream which produces symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Symptoms of seasonal allergies include:
- Sneezing
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Congestion
- Itchy throat and sinuses
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
Primary Care Health Tip: Limit Your Exposure
If you experience seasonal allergies or feel like you constantly have a head cold or congestion, visit your primary physician. They can help you find, manage, and limit your exposure to your triggers.
Tips to control your seasonal allergies include:
- Monitor the seasonal pollen and mold levels.
- Keep your doors and windows closed during peak allergy seasons.
- Shower and change your clothes after spending time outdoors.
- Wear a mask while mowing or doing yard work.
Risk: Insect Bites
When you are enjoying time outside, the last thing you want is a bite or sting to ruin your day. For some, insect bites are simply an annoyance that causes minor discomfort. For others, stings can be deadly.
Signs of an insect bite allergy include:
- Hives
- Swelling over a large part of your body
- Trouble breathing
- Facial or tongue swelling
- Dizziness
In addition to wasps and bees, mosquitoes, fleas, ticks are a danger to people and pets. Mosquitoes spread diseases such as Zika virus and malaria. Ticks cause various illnesses including Lyme disease which can be debilitating.
Primary Care Health Tip: Be Mindful of Your Surroundings
To reduce your risk of insect bites, bee stings, and tick exposure, be aware of your outdoor surroundings. If you are traveling to an area known for yellow fever or malaria, get vaccinated to minimize your risks. If you have a known bee sting allergy, carry your epipen with you at all times.
Other tips to minimize the effects of insects, bees, and ticks include:
- Avoiding perfumes and floral scents
- Using insect repellent after applying sunscreen
- Wearing long-sleeves and pants
- Treating clothes with insect repellents or permethrin
- Sleeping under a mosquito net
- Knowing where to expect ticks
- Avoiding wooded or high grassy areas
- Examining yourself, your clothing, and your pets for ticks
- Showering soon after being outdoors
Book an Appointment This Summer with Your Internal Medicine Doctor in Pineville
The summer can be full of exciting adventures, but be sure to protect yourself too to maximize your summer fun. Stay safe by preparing yourself and your family this summer with our health tips.
At Carolina Medical Associates, we provide comprehensive primary care and internal medicine services in Pineville, NC. If you experience the risks or dangers mentioned above, please call our office or book an appointment with our team.
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