Summer vacation means spending more time outside, which puts more skin at risk from hungry mosquitoes, the burning sun, and other dangers. However, you can reduce the number of summertime illnesses and accidents that your family suffers this year with a little bit of planning and foresight.
In order to keep your family safe throughout the summer, the dedicated staff at Danvers Family Doctors in Danvers, Massachusetts, breaks down some of the most common summer hazards.
Swimmer’s Ear
Did you have any idea that you can get swimmer’s ear without swimming? When bacteria and moisture get stuck in the ear canal, swimmer’s ear is an infection. While the primary causes of swimmer’s ear are lake water and other sources of non-chlorinated bathing water, excessive sweating can also contribute to the problematic combination of bacteria and moisture.
Follow these steps to avoid swimmer’s ear for yourself and your children:
- After swimming or participating in sports, dry your ears with a soft towel
- Never clean your ears with cotton swabs, fingers, or other hard objects
- Before applying sunscreen, gently plug your ears with cotton balls
- Clean and disinfect earbuds and plugs
- Visit Danvers Family Doctors for antibacterial ear rinses before swimming and sports
Sunburn
Nothing feels better than lying out in the sun until your skin is peeling, red, and blistered. Not only are sunburns painful, but they also significantly raise your risk of skin cancer. Because of this, shielding yourself from harmful UVA and UVB rays is absolutely necessary for your long-term health.
To maintain long-term skin health:
- Wear sunscreens of SPF 30 or over
- Apply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or sweating
- Use at least 1 oz. of sunscreen at a time
- Avoid the sun between 10am-4pm
- Wear broad-brimmed hats and sunglasses
- Stay under a beach umbrella or a shady tree
Bug bites and bee stings
It’s great that you think your kids are sweet, but unfortunately, bugs also think so. Make sure no one in your family looks or smells like a tasty, nectar-rich flower to reduce the likelihood of being stung.
Take these precautions to avoid becoming a bug’s next victim:
- Don’t wear perfume, especially floral scents
- Wear light clothing
- Don’t wear clothing with a flower pattern
- Avoid drinking or being near sugary drinks
- Get an epinephrine pen from Danvers Family Doctors if anyone’s allergic to bee stings
Danger’s Afoot
Simply wearing sandals or shoes outdoors can help you and your children stay safe this summer. Avoid wearing perfume, especially floral scents. Wear light clothing. Avoid wearing clothing with a flower pattern. At the gym, beach, or pool, you should always wear flip-flops or shower shoes.
There are risks for feet that are untethered, such as:
- Yard cutter sharp edges
- Corroded nails
- Honey bee or wasp stings
- Competitor’s foot and different parasites
- Consuming sand
- Parasitic worms
Be certain that you and your children are in the know regarding lockjaw shots at Danvers Family Specialists, as well. Even shoes with soft soles can be punctured by some rusty nails.
The Doctor Is In
School has ended, but Danvers Family Doctors’ compassionate doctors are back and ready to help. We have a solution in case, despite your best efforts, a bee sting, sunburn, or harmful bacteria caused swimmer’s ear. To schedule an appointment, simply fill out the online form or call our helpful office staff.