Summer means more bugs, heat and injuries. Here’s how to protect yourself

As a parent of four very active children, Dr. Shaneka Kulasingham is familiar with taking precautions to avoid medical emergencies while traveling.

And as an emergency physician at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton in Ontario, Kulasingham is also abundantly familiar with the common emergencies people face during the summer.

As Canadians entering a new warm seasonExperts like Kulasingham recommend taking preventive measures to protect against injuries, summer heat and insects – and seeking professional medical attention if regular first aid doesn’t provide relief.

“With the warmer weather, longer daylight hours and everyone spending more time outdoors, [focus] a little bit about prevention,” Kulasingham told Dr. Brian Goldman, host of The dose podcast.

Kulasingham also says that basic medications such as Advil and Tylenol, non-drowsy antihistamines such as some formulations of Reactin and Claritin, as well as anti-nausea medications such as Gravol are all useful to include in a first aid kit.

Orthopedic injuries are more common in the summer

Because people spend more time outdoors in the summer, Kulasingham sees more orthopedic injuries, such as fractures, sprains, strains and tears, in her emergency department.

“Make sure you wear protective gear,” she told Goldman.

Helmets, knee pads and elbow pads are all useful.

She recognizes that different people have different pain tolerances. But something like a sprained ankle that can bear weight with minimal discomfort probably won’t need major medical intervention, she said.

Instead, there is a combination of Peace and love recovery should be sufficient to heal the injury. This strategy emphasizes rest for the first few days after an incident, and then a slow reintroduction of physical activity.

“If the pain persists, there is swelling and increased bruising, then you should probably at least see your doctor or go to an emergency room to check that out,” she said.

Reducing exposure to harmful heat

Whether it’s the heat, the humidity or both, summer weather can be unbearable without protection.

Heat-related illnesses are the biggest health risk in the summer, according to Frankie Garcia, a registered nurse who works for Summit Health Travel Clinics in Toronto.

Heat cramps are usually muscle cramps and spasms, often in the legs and abdomen, accompanied by heavy sweating.

Without relief from the heat, they can escalate to heat exhaustion. Symptoms include heavy, profuse sweating, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, headache, rapid pulse, feelings of weakness, and cool, pale, and clammy skin.

When body temperature rises to 40 degrees Celsius, people may become confused and experience other neurological side effects such as disorientation, seizures, slurred speech, and unconsciousness.

“What heat stroke causes is a complete shutdown of the body’s ability to completely cool itself,” says Garcia. “This is an emergency situation right now.”

In these cases, people should seek immediate medical attention, move to a cool place, remove excess clothing, and cool the body with ice packs or cold water.

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When it comes to burns — whether from the sun or spilling a hot drink by a campfire — Kulasingham says the first step in treatment is to cool the affected area until the initial sting goes away.

She also said to avoid renewed exposure to strong heat or sunlight.

Anti-inflammatories like Advil and Aleve can help, while antibacterial ointments like Polysporin can help keep burns from getting worse. infected.

Dealing with insects

Summer time means insectsas anyone who has ever spent any time outdoors can tell you. This also applies to ticks, wasps and mosquitoes.

One of the most effective insect repellents is bug spray containing the ingredient DEET, she said, which makes it harder for insects to smell people.

Dressing appropriately can also help. Long sleeved clothing, tucking in your shirts and tucking in your pants can help prevent tick bitesFor example.

In the case of an insect bite, however, Kulasingham assures that “most bites do not become infected.”

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“Unless you have an anaphylactic reaction… most bites usually cause a local reaction,” Kulasingham says.

Calamine lotions, antihistamines, and cold compresses can help reduce the discomfort of an insect bite, she says.

Lyme disease, an infectious disease transmitted to humans through tick bites, is especially a problem in the summer, as is anaplasmosis, another disease spread by the same ticks.

If patients suddenly develop flu-like symptoms or a rash after an insect bite, Kulasingham says it is wise to contact a doctor.

First aid kit supplies

Most health experts recommend carrying a first aid kit whether you are hiking or camping.

Maria Mejia, training coordinator at St. John Ambulance’s national office in Ottawa, recommends the following:

• Adhesive tape
• Adhesive bandages and “butterfly bandages” to cover minor cuts
• Roller gauze, for absorbing fluids such as blood and securing a splint
• Sterile gauze, for covering and cleaning wounds
• A few triangular bandages, to make an arm sling
• Splints, to immobilize injuries to bones and soft tissue
• Disposable bags, for waste and to make ice bags
• Sterile saline solution, to rinse wounds or eyes.
• Space blanket, to reduce heat loss and prevent hypothermia
• Latex-free gloves that fit well
• A pocket-sized CPR face shield or CPR mask to provide rescue breaths if necessary
• A pair of light, strong scissors
• Hand sanitizer
• A general first aid guide as provided by the Canadian Red Cross or Sint-Jan Ambulance
• A sheet of emergency telephone numbers, including personal emergency contacts, roadside assistance and poison control