WATCH OUT IT’S SUMMER!
My Weekly’s favourite GP from TV and radio writes for you
We all have happy memories of summer, but as a doctor, my view is slightly different. Where you see barbecues and hotel buffets, I see food poisoning. Where food is concerned in exotic locations, peel it, boil it, cook it or forget it!
There’s hardly any part of the world that isn’t accessible with a last minute offer these days, so it’s easy to forget how high the risk of infections can be in countries outside Western Europe, USA and Australia. Don’t be tempted to jet off without checking with your practice nurse about immunisations at least 2 months before you go. And ask your pharmacist if you need antimalarial tablets – they can provide all types these days.
Simple steps can cut the risk of travel sickness. Don’t read or watch films, look out across the horizon, or close your eyes. Avoid strong smells and sit over the wing of the plane or in the front of the car.
The idea of lounging by the pool and taking a dip to cool off may appeal, but there are health hazards. Wear flipflops around pool areas to reduce the risk of verrucas. Athlete’s foot is more common if you’re hot and damp, so dry thoroughly between toes. Wear open toed sandals if possible, and stick to cotton socks that let your skin breathe. Your pharmacist can advise on antifungal creams and talcum powder to keep your feet dry. Fungal infections can also spread to your toenails – although they don’t cause serious problems, they’re a common cause of ugly thickening and flaking of the nails. Change your shoes regularly to avoid sweat build-up and follow the
same precautions as for athlete’s foot. Medicated nail lacquer from your pharmacist can work but takes several months. For really stubborn cases, your GP may prescribe regular anti-fungal tablets.
Painful outer ear infections are more common if you swim regularly, especially in hot weather. Don’t ever be tempted to put cotton buds (or anything else!) in your ears, as you can damage them and increase the risk of infections. Try and avoid getting your ears wet – a tight swimming cap or earplugs can help – and consider acetic acid ear drops from your pharmacist to ward off infection.
Insect bites and stings can be itchy, sore and miserable, as well as unsightly. Bites usually don’t hurt at the time, but you can develop an itchy red bump up to 24 hours later. Some people react more than others – my son gets huge red blotches but my husband gets away scot free! Stings hurt straight away as the insect injects poison. Swelling and redness (up to half an inch across) develops quickly but usually settles in hours.
If you’re stung by a bee, scrape the sting out with a credit card or fingernail as soon as possible. Never grab the sting as this can result in more poison being injected. Most bites and stings settle on their own in a day or two, but a mild steroid cream – antihistamine tablets for multiple bites – can ease itching. Your pharmacist can provide everything you need.
Rarely, a severe allergic reaction – called anaphylaxis – can lead in minutes to palpitations, shortness of breath, lightheadedness and collapse. It can constrict your breathing if it affects lips, tongue or throat. It’s a medical emergency – call 999. If you’ve ever had this reaction before, you’ll need to carry an injection pen containing adrenaline to take if you’re ever stung again. Next week: How to cope with back pain