by Olivia Miller | Jun 14, 2024 | Urgent Care Clinic

7 Common Reasons to Visit an Urgent Care Center

With long, sunny days and warm weather, it’s the perfect season for outdoor sports, backyard barbecues, and making lasting memories with family and friends. But, with all the excitement and fun, it’s important to remain aware of potential health risks that come with these warmer months. While some issues can be easily managed at home, others may require the attention of a medical professional. And when your primary care doctor’s office is closed, your neighborhood urgent care center can be a convenient and efficient solution.

Here are seven common reasons why people seek medical care at urgent care centers during the summer, along with some practical tips to help you stay healthy and enjoy the season to the fullest.

1. Heat-Related Illnesses

As temperatures soar, so does the risk of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and other heat-related illnesses. Symptoms like dizziness, excessive sweating, weakness, nausea, and confusion can indicate your body is struggling to cope with the heat. Severe cases may even lead to fainting or high fever.

Prevention Tips:

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing to help your body breathe.
• Take frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
• If your home lacks air conditioning on extremely hot days, seek refuge in cooler public spaces like libraries or designated cooling centers.

2. Sunburn and Skin Damage

While a sun-kissed glow may seem desirable, overexposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays can lead to painful sunburns, blisters, and long-term skin damage, including an increased risk of skin cancer. Children’s delicate skin is especially vulnerable.

Prevention Tips:

• Keep infants under 6 months old out of direct sunlight.
• Cover up with lightweight, long-sleeved clothing, hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses.
• Seek shaded areas whenever possible.
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.

3. Sports Injuries

Summer is the perfect time for outdoor sports and activities. But be careful not to do too much too soon or for too long because doing so can increase the risk of sprains, strains, fractures, and other injuries, especially if proper precautions aren’t taken.

Prevention Tips:

• Warm up properly before any physical activity.
• Stretch before and after exercise to maintain flexibility.
• Cool down gradually after strenuous activities.
• Use appropriate protective gear and equipment.
• Be aware of uneven surfaces that could lead to falls or twisted ankles.

4. Food Poisoning

Summertime means time with family and friends, cookouts, picnics, and al fresco dining. It can also mean increased chances of experiencing unpleasant foodborne illness with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Improper food handling and storage can increase your risk of getting sick.

Prevention Tips:

• Practice good hygiene by washing hands and surfaces before handling food.
• Keep raw and cooked foods separate, using different utensils for each.
• Use a food thermometer to ensure any meat is cooked to safe internal temperatures.
• Keep perishable foods chilled in coolers or refrigerators until ready to eat.

5. Insect Bites and Stings

Warmer weather means increased activity from mosquitoes, bees, and other insects, raising the risk of bites, stings, and potential allergic reactions or infections like Lyme disease or West Nile virus.

Prevention Tips:

• Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin.
• Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors, especially in wooded areas.
• Avoid bright clothing or the use of fragrances that can attract insects.
• Remove standing water around your home where mosquitoes breed.

6. Swimmer’s Ear

Swimming is a beloved summer pastime, but it can also lead to ear infections like Swimmer’s Ear if water becomes trapped in the ear canal, allowing bacteria to thrive. Don’t assume it can only affect swimmers, though, it can affect anyone who gets water in their ears.

Prevention Tips:

• Keep your ears as dry as possible after swimming or bathing.
• Use earplugs or swim caps to prevent water from entering the ear canal.
• If water does get in your ears, tilt your head and use a hair dryer on the lowest setting to help dry them out.
• Avoid swimming in bodies of water with known high bacteria levels.

7. Allergic Reactions

For those with seasonal allergies, summer can be a challenging time as trees, grasses, and weeds release pollen into the air, triggering hay fever symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.

Prevention Tips:

• Check local pollen counts and try to limit outdoor activities when levels are high, especially in the morning.
• Keep windows closed to prevent pollen from entering your home.
• Take a shower and change clothes after spending time outside to remove pollen from your body and hair.
• Consider using over-the-counter antihistamines or nasal decongestant sprays to manage allergy symptoms.

Summer should be a time of joy and carefree living, but it’s always better to be proactive about potential health risks. If you or a loved one experiences any concerning symptoms or injuries, don’t hesitate to visit us at AFC Ooltewah Urgent Care. With our convenient hours and experienced staff, we can help get you back on your feet and back to enjoying the season in no time.