safety first
Be aware of summer health hazards
S ummer is a season best spent outdoors, and many people anxiously await the opportunity to soak up some sun in the warm weather. However, many outdoor activities can pose a threat to those who aren’t careful when summer arrives. Here are a few hot-weather dangers that families should watch out for.
Heat stroke
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are two of the biggest concerns for those spending time under the sun. Those who are active during hot or humid conditions might have experienced some level of heat exhaustion, which causes the body to lose fluids through sweat, leading to dehydration, and may cause body temperatures to rise. Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include sweating profusely, dizziness, muscle cramps, fainting, dehydration, nausea, pale skin, rapid heartbeat and headache. “In both disorders, you will be dizzy and nauseated; however, your body temperature will reach 104 or greater in a heat stroke. That makes it a medical emergency,” said Dr. Melissa Yawn at the Newport Diagnostic Medical Clinic. Other symptoms of heat stroke may include a throbbing headache; flushed, hot and dry skin; slightly elevated blood pressure; rapid, shallow breathing; a lack of sweating, despite the heat; a rapid heartbeat that is strong or weak; and unconsciousness. If someone exhibits signs of heat exhaustion, they should get to a cool setting such as an air-conditioned room or the shade of a tree and hydrate as soon as possible, she said. Immediately dial 911 if a heat stroke is suspected. Bystanders can administer first aid while waiting for the ambulance by moving the person to an air-conditioned room, wetting the victim’s skin, and applying ice packs to the armpits, groin, neck and back. To prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke, stay hydrated, wear loose, lightweight clothing, protect against sunburns, and never leave a person in a parked car, she added.
Bug bites
Warm weather can be a welcome environment not only for families having fun, but also for bugs. Some bug bites are merely an itchy annoyance, but others are more serious. “Several diseases are spread by insect bites every year,” Yawn said. According to the Arkansas Department of Health, tick bites can transmit a number of serious diseases, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, tularemia and Lyme disease. Another common pest, the mosquito, can transmit the West Nile virus and the Zika virus. Although 80 percent of people infected with the West Nile have no symptoms and 20 percent have mild symptoms, about 1 in 150 of those infected can develop a life-threatening disease, the department’s website states. Although the Department of Health has not recorded any cases of Zika that originated in Arkansas, it is a good idea to protect againstwhere Zikathe diseaseis present. both Theat homevirus can and cause when serious traveling birth to defects countriesin fetuses, so pregnant women should be especially vigilant. “Fever, fatigue, headache, rash on the hands and the bottom of the feet, and a rash surrounding the bite mark are some of the symptoms for both tick- and mosquito-borne illnesses,” Yawn said, adding that people who experience these symptoms should consult a doctor. The Department of Health recommends wearing light-colored clothing doused in permethrin, long sleeves and pants, and insect repellent to prevent both tick and mosquito bites. Draining standing water can also reduce mosquito populations around a home. In addition, people should perform tick checks soon after being outdoors and remove any embedded ticks by gripping them as close to the skin as possible and detaching them. Arkansans can also take steps to prevent bites from venomous spiders, such as brown recluse and black widow spiders. Because spiders may be present in overgrown garden sites and boxes in locations such as basements, attics and garages, women should avoid working in those areas without long sleeves and gloves, Yawn said.
Water risks
hot Bodiesday, but of water-relatedwater can be accidents,peaceful and particularly welcome unintentionalrespites on a drownings, account for roughly 3,500 fatalities on a given year in the United States. Furthermore, about one in five people who die from drowning are children younger than 14. “Drowning is the No. 1 danger in swimming or being around bodies of water,” Yawn said. “Use life jackets in large bodies of water, and in pools, always have adult supervision. Children who can’t swim need flotation devices.” If someone is drowning, throw the person a life jacket or a flotation device. Bystanders should avoid direct contact with the drowning person, who could smother rescuers in his or her panic. However, it is important to get the victim out of the water as soon as possible, Yawn said. Then call 911 and administer CPR if the victim is not breathing, she added. Parents should take special precautions to reduce children’s risk of drowning. Parents can ensure that children know how to swim by enrolling them in classes at local community centers. Families should always pay attention to children who are swimming and never rely on air-filled flotation toys such as water wings as a safety measure. Well-fitting life jackets are the appropriate safety aid for young swimmers. After a swimming session, parents should put away all water toys so children are not tempted to play unsupervised near the water. Summertime can be plenty of fun, and with the right precautions, people can enjoy the warm weather safely. “Use sunscreen, hydrate, protect [yourself] from insects, and use good judgment when around bodies of water or going into wooded areas,” Yawn said.