Preventing & Treating Summer Related Health Risks
Summer is in full bloom right now and many people are taking advantage of the warm weather. If you spend anytime outdoors, you should be aware of some summer health issues and how to recognize and respond promptly to them. Your best defense against heat-related illnesses is prevention. This includes staying cool and making changes in your fluid intake, activity level and clothing during hot weather.
These self-help measures are not a substitute for medical care. Seek the advice of your physician. In an emergency dial x911 or on campus contact the college Public Safety Department at ext. 3333. These heat related risks are discussed to help you recognize the warning signs.
Dehydration
Dehydration is a serious heat-related disease. Under normal conditions, the body loses water through sweat, tears, urine and stool. When you are exposed to the sun your body loses water and essesential body salts. You should increase your fluid intake regardless of your activity level and don¡Ùt wait until you are thirsty. Avoid fluids containing caffeine or alcohol. Re-hydrating your body by drinking fluids can treat mild dehydration. A sports drink can replace salt and minerals that are lost. For cases of severe dehydration, you will need to seek medical attention immediately. This may require that fluids be replaced intravenously.
If you are planning any outdoor activities, you should try to limit your activity to cooler parts of the day. If you must be outside doing strenuous activity, try to drink two to four glasses of water each hour to prevent dehydration. You might find that you are better able to accomplish this by carrying a water bottle with you and taking sips throughout the day. Avoiding very cold drinks may help you avoid stomach cramps.
Sign & Symptoms of Dehydration
- Thirst
- Less frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Light-headiness
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Confusion
Sunburn
Wearing lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing will help protect you from the sun and may help you beat the heat. A hat protects your head and face from the sun, and keeps you cooler. If you are treating sunburn, you may find relief by applying a cold compress or immersing the sunburned area in cool water. If you developed blisters, you may be tempted to break them. Never do this, but allow the blisters to break on their own. Do not use salve, butter or ointment of the effected area. You may find some relief by applying a moisturing lotion. Having sunburn is a discomfort, but more severe sunburn may require medical treatment.
Symptoms & Signs of Sunburn:
- Skin becomes red, painful and abnormally warm after sun exposure
- Fever
- Fluid filled blisters
- Chills
- Vomiting
Heat Rash
Summer activities may increase your chance of developing heat rash, which is a skin irritation caused by your body sweating excessively during hot and humid weather. It may also appear when your skin is exposed to too much sun. This rash may appear immediately or within a few hours after exposure and can be itchy. The best treatment for heat rash is to find an environment that is cool and less humid. You should try to keep the skin dry. Do not apply moisturizer, ointment or creams, which will keep the skin moist and may make the heat rash worse (a form of dusting powder is a better choice). Seek medical attention if you are experiencing an allergic reaction.
Symptoms & Signs of Heat Rash:
- Red cluster of pimples or bumps after sun exposure
- Most likely to be found on neck, chest, elbow creases
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion occurs when your body loses too much water and too many electrolytes through very heavy sweating after you have been exposed to the heat. This is condition is usually found when the temperature is above 80 F with high humidity. The high temperature reduces your body's ability to lose heat by evaporation.
A person suffering from heat exhaustion may experience dizziness, feel nauseated and lightheaded and will sweat profusely. When you touch the skin, it can feel cool and clammy. The person may complain that they are experiencing a headache.
If you believe that you or someone else is experiencing heat exhaustion, move to a cooler place (such as under a shaded tree or in an air-conditioned environment) and remove enough clothing to cool the patient. A cool shower, bath or sponge bath may help to cool the person off. If you are outdoors, you may find that it is convenient to use a garden hose to help in the cooling process.
Give the person fluids such as water or fluids that contain electrolytes (ex: a sports drink). Fluids that contain caffeine are not a good choice, such as soda, tea or coffee. If the person is unconscious, DO NOT GIVE FLUIDS this may cause them to choke. If the person does not recover in a timely manner or has other injuries, immediately seek medical attention.
Symptoms & Signs of Heat Exhaustion:
- Profuse sweating
- Headache
- Dizziness, light-headedness or fainting
- Nausea or vomiting
- Weakness or tiredness
- Cool & clammy skin
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat illness and is a life-threatening emergency. If left untreated heat stroke can lead to death. This heat related emergency requires immediate action and transport to a medical facility.
Your body produces internal heat that you normally cool yourself by sweating and radiating the heat through your skin. When you have been exposed to high humidity, extreme heat or strenuous activity in the sun for long period of time, your body is unable to sweat to lower your body's temperature. With-in 10 to 15 minutes your body can reach a temperature of 106 or higher. If you are dehydrated and can't sweat enough to cool your body then your internal temperature might rise to a dangerous level.
You can help prevent heat stroke by keeping your body well hydrated with fluids and taking frequent breaks to cool yourself. Also, you can wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing to allow the heat to escape from your body. Another good idea is to mist yourself with a spray bottle to avoid becoming overheated. On very hot and humid days, try to spend as little time as possible outdoors. If you must be outside then increase your time outdoors little by little to gradually get your body used to the heat.
If you believe that you or someone else is experiencing, heat stroke immediately contact medical assistance while you begin to cool the patient or yourself. Remove yourself or the person to a place indoors that is cool or find a shady spot outdoors.
Cool yourself or the person with whatever method you can find. This may include immersing them in a cool tub of water, water from a garden hose, sponge bath or loosely wrapping the person in a sheet that has been saturated in cool water and placing a fan on them or fan them vigorously. Have yourself or the person elevate their feet slightly.
Symptoms & Signs of Heat Stroke:
- High body temperature
- Hot, dry skin that is flushed not sweaty
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Throbbing headache
- Disorientation, agitation or confusion
- Fatigue or sluggishness
- Seizure
- Unconsciousness
Bee Stings
Bee stings can be a serious injury and may cause an allergic reaction. If the person is suffering from an allergic reaction, they may go in anaphylactic shock. This requires immediate action and transport to a medical facility.
If you have been stung in the mouth or nose seek medical attention because swelling may occur and block your airways.
If you are stung do not try to pull the stinger out instead gently scrape the stinger out with a blunt object. Wash the affected area with soap and water. You may find relief by applying a cold ice pak for a few minutes (never apply an ice pak to skin directly, but wrap in a cloth or paper towel).
Symptoms & Signs of Bee Stings
- Itching all over the body or stung area
- Hives or swelling
- Tightness in throat or chest
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness or fainting
- Nausea or vomiting
- Unconsciousness
Submitted by PSO Hess
Emergency Medical Technician
Public Safety Department