Summer brings longer days and weekend getaways. Many are eager to get outside and enjoy the warm weather while it lasts. While summer can bring lots of fun, rising temperatures come with plenty of health risks, too. Below are seven summer health hazards everyone should beware of. 

Heat Stroke/Heat exhaustion 

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke, the two most severe heat-related illnesses, can occur when the body is unable to properly cool down after prolonged exposure to excessive heat (such as working or exercising outdoors).

Heatstroke is a more severe case of heat exhaustion and 911 should be contacted if it is suspected. Infants and young children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with certain medical conditions (such as heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, obesity, and overweight) are at a higher risk of heat-related illness and should be monitored regularly. Symptoms of heat related illness to look out for include: 

• body temperature of 103 degrees F or higher
• Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
• A fast pulse
• Headache, dizziness
• Confusion, irritability, slurred speech
• Loss of consciousness
• Heavy sweating
• Cold, pale, clammy skin
• Nausea or vomiting
• Muscle cramps

Dehydration

It’s no secret that drinking more water is necessary in hotter temperatures. When soaking up the sun, sipping summery cocktails, or playing sports, it’s even more important to make drinking water a priority. Dehydration can range from mild to severe, and the side effects include:

• thirst
• a dry or sticky mouth
• dry skin
• headaches 
• muscle cramps
• dark yellow urine or less urine in general 

Side effects of severe dehydration include:

• rapid heart rate and breathing 
• irritability
• confusion 
• dizziness
• listlessness 
• sunken eyes 
• shriveled skin 
• delirium
• unconsciousness

Simply put, drink lots of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration; especially when spending time outdoors in the sun. Aim for 16 ounces (oz) of water every hour, and consider dialing back strenuous activity between the hours of 10am and 2pm, when the sun is strongest. If spending extra time in the heat, increase that amount to 24-32 oz of water per hour so that you’re drinking about 1 cup (8 oz) of water every 15 to 20 minutes.

Sunburn

UV exposure in general is a powerful attack on the skin. Staying out too long without sunscreen risks getting a painful sunburn and increases the chances of developing skin cancer. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can increase the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and sunspots. Unprotected exposure to UV damages the DNA in skin cells, producing genetic defects, or mutations, that can lead to skin cancer and premature aging. 

The best way to prevent sun effects on the skin year round is to make sunscreen a daily habit. Even cloudy days carry a risk of UV exposure. Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen that’s SPF 30 or higher, and reapply it at least every two hours. Make sure to get the spots commonly missed such as the:

•  Scalp
•  Ears
• front and back of the neck
• Chest
• backs of knees
• tops of feet

Water related injuries

Nothing says summer like a pool day or a visit to the beach. While swimming is a summer must, the activity still has plenty of potential dangers. Swimming hazards range from infections to diving injuries and even drowning, which is the leading cause of unintentional injury death among children ages 1 to 4, according to the CDC. Here are some precautionary measures for fun, safe swimming:

• Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
• Swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.
• Don’t leave young children unattended or without adult supervision near water.
• Avoid distractions when supervising children around water. (Consider appointing a “water watcher,” whose only responsibility is to keep an eye on children while swimming).
• Have children or inexperienced swimmers wear life jackets. Water wings or inflatable toys work, but do not solely rely on them.
• If a child is missing, check the water first. Every second is important in preventing death or disability.
• Secure home pools with barriers to the water when not in use.
• Store reaching or throwing equipment, life jackets, and a first-aid kit near home pools.

Insect bites

It’s normal to get bug bites in the summertime, and some people are certainly more susceptible to them than others. However, everyone should take extra precaution in the summer, as mosquitoes can transmit diseases such as West Nile virus and Dengue fever; and ticks can spread up to 16 different infectious illnesses, including Lyme disease. 

The best preventive measure is to wear repellent. Avoid areas with tall grass and be sure to check for ticks after hikes or days in the park. The most common places to find ticks are the head, neck, groin, and underarms. Treat clothes with products that contain 0.5 percent permethrin, an antiparasitic medication that also acts as an insect repellent. If camping, consider pre-treating the tent or hammock with repellent as well. The CDC advises bathing or showering within two hours of returning from an outing and washing clothes in hot water, then drying them with high heat to kill any excess bacteria.

Allergies

People normally tend to associate allergies solely with the Spring season. However, recent studies show that rising temperatures and longer warm seasons increase pollen production and are extending allergy season. Pollen settling onto surfaces we touch, like picnic blankets or patio furniture, can also set off an allergic skin reaction. Poison Ivy is a very common allergen to beware of during the Summer. A person doesn’t even have to directly touch the toxic oil of a poison ivy plant for it to cause itching, rashes, and blisters; it can be transmitted via sports equipment or camping gear, pet fur, and clothing. 

To keep a home pollen-free, use a damp cloth to remove pollen from hair and skin or take a shower right after coming in from the outdoors, as well as washing outdoor clothes and bedding to remove pollen that has settled there, and vacuuming regularly. Pollen counts can also be checked online for different areas. For poison ivy, wearing long pants and long sleeves when hiking or entering an area where the plant might be present is the best way to avoid this troublesome summertime rash. 

Food safety

Summer is the most common season for food borne illnesses. Whether grilling or picnicking, take a second to consider how long the food has been sitting out unrefrigerated, or if what’s hot off the grill is truly cooked through. It’s easy to forget that mayo on tuna or macaroni salad needs to be refrigerated. Eating this food can cause gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. As per the FDA:

• Don’t let food sit out at between 40 and 140 degrees F for more than two hours at a time, as this provides the perfect “danger zone” for foodborne bacteria to multiply. (And if outdoor temperatures are above 90 degrees F, that time frame drops to one hour).
• Store cold food below 40 degrees F until it’s ready to eat. 
• Toss foods that have been in the danger zone for too long — it’s not worth the risk. Beverage and food coolers should also be separated to limit the number of times needed to open the food cooler, which will help keep the food cooler for longer. 
• Make sure to close coolers tightly after opening.

The CDC recommends refrigerating and separating poultry and seafood from other foods to prevent cross-contamination, washing hands often while handling food, cleaning the grill and tools before and after each use, and thoroughly cooking meat. A meat thermometer can help determine when the meat has reached a safe internal temperature.

Summing it up:

The summer can bring lots of fun, but also lots of dangers. Taking the proper precautionary measures and understanding the most common summer health hazards is the best way to create a fun, yet safe summer. This summer, Swift encourages everyone to take the time to review the hazards that come with the fun of Summer, and take the necessary precautionary measures to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. Should you or anyone you know feel sick, but not severe enough for the hospital, Swift is happy to treat any minor hazards that may come about this summer. 

DISCLAIMER: THIS BLOG DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

The information in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen.