By Tim Schnettler, Texas A&M University Health Science Center
Summer is here, and with it comes an increase in outdoor activities. From cookouts to pool parties, Americans take advantage of warmer weather and longer days to relax and enjoy time with family and friends.
While families flock outdoors for fun, there is also a downside — injuries and visits to urgent care centers and emergency rooms tend to increase with the rising temperatures.
Heat-related illness One of the most common summertime illnesses is dehydration, which occurs when the body does not have enough water. It is also a condition that comes on quicker than most people think. When temperatures rise, the body loses more water, as individuals sweat more in an effort to stay cool. The easiest way to combat dehydration is to increase the amount of water you drink when spending time in the sun, especially when you are active.
Swimming injuries/drowning It’s hot and steamy in the summer. What better way to combat that than by a nice refreshing dip in the pool or a lake? While it may be the ideal summertime refresher, water-related injuries see a substantial increase during the summer months. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the second-most common cause of death by unintentional injury, and children are more likely to drown in a swimming pool than anywhere else. Additionally, diving injuries are one of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries.
Sunburns We’ve all had a sunburn at one time or another. While it more than likely did not require a visit to the emergency room, many sunburns do. In 2013, there were nearly 34,000 emergency room visits in the United States related to serious sunburn, costing an estimated $11.2 million, according to reports in The American Medical Association’s journal, Dermatology. When spending time in the sun, sunscreen is your best defense, and you should choose one with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Bicycling related injuries While often relaxing and fun, summertime family bike rides can lead to severe injuries and trips to the emergency room. The most common are injuries to extremities — arm and wrist fractures — as well as head injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26,000 bicycle-related injuries involve children and adolescents with traumatic brain injuries that are treated in emergency departments. To help prevent head trauma, it is recommended that individuals wear a properly fitted helmet that is U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission certified.
Bug bites As much as we love summer, bugs love it just as much. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes pose the biggest threat when it comes to those summertime bites. Mosquitoes can carry West Nile virus as well as other diseases, while ticks can spread Lyme disease. The best way to combat insect bites is by using repellents that contain 20 to 30 percent DEET, which helps repel insects. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends repellents with no more than 30 percent DEET on children.
