While fun in the sun is summer’s theme, the time spent in the great outdoors also presents a host of potential medical issues and dangers that aren’t present at home.
The problem is that carefree times can lead to careless times, which, in turn, can result in accidents or injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that fatalities increase during the summer months, somewhat surprising because those are usually the times with the best weather and driving conditions. That is also true for off-road incidents – there are just a lot of people out and about, which can by itself create conditions for trouble.
The key to avoiding major issues is being aware of what can happen and planning how to react. There are times when circumstances may not immediately provide the opportunity to get professional medical assistance, so basic knowledge of first aid and the ability to improvise solutions may be a key to survival.
Common Summer Pitfalls
Here are some of the most likely summer incidents that may cross your path:
1) Heatstroke – This can sneak up on the active person in the heat of the day. The first signs are thirst and fatigue, which are expected in most cases. But after being in the sun for a while, mere water can’t replace all of the electrolytes lost through sweating and are a vital part of regulating body temperature. That means the symptoms of heat-related issues may progress, and eventually, delirium and hallucinations may set in, leading to organ failure in the most extreme cases. Keep a mix of water and Gatorade on hand. The latter has potassium and sodium, key ingredients that will help rebalance the body’s electrolyte system, much as they did for the Florida Gators football team when the drink was first invented. As for fluid ingestion, try to ingest about a liter bottle of water for each hour spent engaged in vigorous activity while in the sun.
2) Plant Problems - Some plants have natural defense systems that will cause allergic reactions in the skin with just a mere touch. Poison ivy, poison oak and a few other plants will secrete fluids to repel potential threats. Those fluids can cause moderate to severe rashes for anyone foolish enough to handle them. Encountering poison ivy or oak usually means you’re off the trail -- the plants typically are found in the bushes and near shrubs. The best defense against them is to wear proper hiking clothing that covers exposed areas of the body – hiking boots, thick socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Just keep in mind that oils from the plants can get on clothing. If that happens, hikers can touch the oils while taking off clothing. The best treatment for poison ivy or poison oak contact is calamine lotion, which is an anti-itching ointment generally found in most drug stores. Severe cases of poison ivy or poison oak may require steroid treatments from a doctor to clear the skin infections.
3) Animal, Animals, Animals – While hiking, you invade areas where other creatures live, and they’ll be ready to defend their turf from outside invaders. Snakes or mammals like raccoons, rats, woodchucks and other charmers typically avoid human contact, but a hiker may inadvertently encounter their lairs or disturb their sleep, causing a reaction. Although being bitten is traumatic, try to maintain calm and retreat from the area of the encounter. It’s always best to seek professional medical attention for a bite wound, but if that’s not possible, try to bind the wound with an improvised tourniquet, flush it with alcohol or cauterize the wound. It will usually take some time for infection or venom to act, so you will have time to seek proper attention.
4) Bugs, Bugs, Bugs - Summer is the time when bugs thrive, and they are looking to feed on human hosts who encounter them. Ticks may latch onto skin or clothing while hiking; mosquitos are present everywhere in the twilight or early morning; and fire ant mounds are active and can be disturbed. It’s best to use insect repellent and wear protective clothing if hiking to minimize the insect activity near you. It’s also wise to have someone check for ticks after a hike, and don’t ignore the potential that they’re on clothing rather than skin. Most insect bites are not major issues and typically cause itching as the major affliction. But mosquitos harbor West Nile Virus, which can cause everything from body aches to vomiting, while ticks are bearers of Lyme disease, an insidious and fatiguing illness. It’s best to have a medical professional diagnose the problem, particularly if active hikers are unusually ill or fatigued in the days following a walk in the woods.
5) Blisters – After spending a winter in bare feet and comfortable shoes, getting back on the trail may present tender feet with a challenge because the ramped-up activity may irritate delicate skin. While not life-threatening, blisters can compromise the ability to walk and are painful. If one develops, sterilize the area around the blisters, then sterilize a knife or other sharp instrument before opening a hole to allow fluid to drain. Then make sure to treat it with a healing ointment and bandage that will protect the sensitive area.
6) Swimming – Drowning is an obvious issue, and anyone entering the water should know their limits. But there are many water-related recreational illnesses. Gastrointestinal disturbances; eye, ear, skin and respiratory infections; neurologic disorders; and infections of open wounds are among the problems that swimming in tainted waters can cause. Diarrhea is the most common illness spawned by water, usually because the swimmer has ingested cryptosporidium, shigella, giardia, norovirus or E.coli germs. Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) spread by contact with contaminated water. Sources often include swimming pools, hot tubs, water parks, and more. Recreational water illnesses are on the rise, with most outbreaks attributed to swimming incidents.
The best advice to avoid the maladies of summer is to be prepared and aware. Most people get through the season without a major incident.