The Joys Of Summer: How To Have Fun In The Sun Safely

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Dermatology;  Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses;  Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 10 Jun 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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Ah, summer! Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie bugs, heat, accidents. Follow these tips to keep your family healthy this summer.

Play it safe. Whether it's hiking, bicycling, inline skating or soccer, everyone loves to get out and play, but that often means an increase in injuries.

"We see more trauma cases during the warm months, like someone playing basketball who sprains an ankle," says Nick Zenarosa, M.D., medical director of the emergency department and a physician on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Garland. Wear the proper clothing and gear for your activity.

Beat the heat. Excessive warm-weather activity can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, particularly when humidity is high. "The importance of hydration cannot be overstressed," says Dr. Zenarosa. Drink plenty of water, and switch to sports drinks if you'll be working or exercising in the heat for a long stretch. Limit outdoor activities when heat alerts are forecast. If you begin to feel dizzy or nauseated, get out of the heat and drink some Gatorade or water. Try to speed the cooling process by wiping down your skin with moist cloths and sitting in front of a fan.Young children and the homebound elderly are especially at risk for heat illness. Check on relatives, and never leave kids or pets in the car.

Don't get burned. Use SPF 15 or higher sunscreen, wear a hat and sunglasses, and limit sun exposure. The same goes for kids. "Children's skin is more sensitive to the sun," says Dr. Zenarosa.

Bug off. Use insect repellent containing DEET, particularly at dawn or dusk. Few people develop West Nile virus, but keep an eye out for fever, headache and body aches after a recent outing where you may have been bitten.

Put it on ice. When picnicking, bring ice packs to keep cold food cold. "Don't leave food out very long. Anything made with eggs or mayonnaise can go bad very quickly," says Dr. Zenarosa. Toss leftovers unless you're certain they've been kept properly chilled. Make sure grilled meat is cooked thoroughly.

Just say no. Alcohol increases dehydration and mental impairment and is a big factor in many car and watercraft accidents.

Lock and latch. Kids wander away quickly, so be sure your swimming pool is secure. If you're planning a road trip, buckle up.

Whatever your plans this summer, pack a little common sense and you'll have everything you need to stay safe.

For more information about Baylor Medical Center at Garland, visit http://www.BaylorHealth.com.

Baylor Health Care System
2001 Bryan St., Ste. 2200
Dallas, TX 75201
United States
http://www.BaylorHealth.com

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