by | Jun 14, 2024 | Urgent Care Clinic
7 Reasons People Visit Urgent Care Centers During the Summer
The season of sunshine, outdoor fun, and family gatherings is finally here. While you’re busy enjoying all that summer offers, it’s important to stay aware of potential health issues that can sneak up on you. While some problems can be managed at home, others might need a visit to your neighborhood urgent care center. Here are the top reasons people visit urgent care centers during the summer, along with some handy tips to keep you feeling your best.
1. Heat-Related Illnesses
When the temperature rises, so do the chances of heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses. If you’ve been out in the sun too long, you might feel dizzy, sweaty, weak, or even nauseous. Heat stroke is even more serious and can cause a very high temperature, confusion, cold clammy skin, or fainting.
Prevention Tips:
- Drink lots of water, even if you’re not thirsty.
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing made out of light-colored breathable fabric.
- Take regular breaks in the shade or an air-conditioned spot.
- If it’s extremely hot and your home doesn’t have air conditioning, find somewhere that does, like a library or cooling center.
2. Sunburn and Skin Damage
We all love a good tan, but too much sun can leave you with painful and blistering sunburns. Many of us associate having a suntan with good health, but the reality is that it can cause long-term skin damage and skin cancer years down the line. Children are especially vulnerable. Severe sunburn can also lead to dehydration.
Prevention Tips:
- Keep infants under 6 months old out of the sun.
- Cover your skin using wide-brimmed hats and other clothing—if the sun can’t reach it, it will be protected.
- Stick to the shade as much as possible.
- Slather on broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
- Reapply every two hours and after swimming.
- Eyes can be damaged by sun exposure, so don’t forget your UV-blocking sunglasses!
3. Sports Injuries
Summer sports are a great way to stay active and have fun, but they can sometimes lead to injuries like sprains, fractures, and strains, especially after a few months spent largely indoors or when sessions are extended causing more strain on the body just because the weather is enjoyable. These common injuries are just the type that your neighborhood urgent care center can help treat.
Prevention Tips:
- Warm up before activities.
- Stretch.
- Cool down after exercise.
- Use the right gear and protective equipment.
- Watch out for uneven surfaces to avoid falls.
4. Food Poisoning
We’ve all been to summer picnics where the food looks wilted and dry from too much sun and heat, and any partakers might risk serious illness. Nothing beats a summer barbecue, but not using coolers to keep food shaded and cool helps protect summer revelers from nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea that announce food poisoning.
Prevention Tips:
- Clean your hands and surfaces well before cooking or handling food.
- Keep all meat separate from other foods.
- Use separate utensils for raw and cooked foods.
- Keep perishable foods chilled.
- Use a meat thermometer and cook meat to the right temperature.
5. Insect Bites and Stings
Mosquitoes, bees, and other bugs are more active in the summer, and their bites and stings are more than just a nuisance; they can lead to allergic reactions, infections, and even serious diseases like Lyme disease or West Nile virus. It’s important to take preventive measures and seek prompt medical attention if you experience severe reactions or symptoms.
Prevention Tips:
- Use insect repellent with DEET or picaridin.
- Wear long sleeves and pants when possible.
- Stay on paths through wooded areas.
- Avoid colorful clothing.
- Tuck long pant legs into socks.
- Remove any standing water around your home in which mosquitos can breed.
- Avoid strong fragrances that attract insects.
6. Swimmer’s Ear
Swimming is a great way to cool off, but water in the ears can lead to infections like swimmer’s ear. When the ear canal gets inflamed or infected due to bacteria-filled water staying in the ear too long, it can lead to Swimmer’s Ear. Swimmer’s Ear often affects those who swim, but it can affect anyone who gets water into their ears, even from bathing. Children are more likely to be affected than adults. If you feel water in your ear that just won’t leave or have ear pain that is getting worse or not going away, drop into AFC Statesville and let us help.
Prevention Tips:
- Keep your ears dry and dry them thoroughly after swimming.
- Avoid swimming in dirty water.
- Use earplugs to keep water out.
- If water gets in, use a hair dryer on its lowest heat and speed setting to dry out your ears.
7. Allergic Reactions
Summer blooms from trees, plants, and weeds can trigger allergies you didn’t even know you had! Some people suffer from mild hay fever while others have more severe reactions and need immediate care. As if that’s not bad enough, sometimes we get stung by insects in search of those sneeze-inducing blooms.
Prevention Tips:
- Check daily pollen counts and stay indoors when they’re high, especially in the mornings.
- Keep windows closed to reduce pollen indoors.
- Shower and change clothes after being outside.
- Take antihistamines and use a nasal decongestant spray.
Summer is all about having fun and making memories, but it’s important to stay safe and healthy. If you do run into any health issues, don’t worry; AFC Urgent Care Statesville is here to help you quickly get back on your feet. Enjoy your summer and stay safe!
