In summer, many of us are drawn outdoors, to barbecue or swim. But what if the sun burns your skin, insect bites swell or your eyes water from driving in an open car? We give tips at 8 typical health risks in the summer.
1) Sunstroke – what to do?
Too much sunlight on the unprotected head can trigger sunstroke – the cause is probably irritation or swelling in the brain. The first signs are a red, hot face, headache and nausea, which in severe cases can last for days. Therefore, immediately lie down in the shade with your upper body elevated, cool your head with a wet towel, and also drink plenty of fluids. In case of severe drowsiness, call an emergency physician. Better yet, prevent it by always wearing an airy cap or hat in the blazing sun.
2) Fingers burned on a fire or grill?
After a burn, the following applies:
- Immediately hold hands or other affected areas under cold water, for about fifteen minutes. Only in this way, even the deep tissue layers are cooled through, pain and expansion of the injury is avoided.
- Do not put ice on the burns, this can damage them even more.
- After cooling, disinfect the burned skin and apply a wound cream suitable for burns, then loosely protect with a plaster or gauze bandage.
- If blisters form, do not prick them. Once they open by themselves, treat with a disinfectant wound cream.
Note: For children, cool only with lukewarm water and only for a few minutes – otherwise there is a risk of cooling. Here are more tips on how to deal with burns and scalds.
3) Heat collapse: that helps!
If the body loses a lot of fluid when sweating, the circulation can go limp. Dizziness and nausea indicate when the blood pressure goes into the basement, in the worst case threatens a short fainting. Therefore, at the first sign of dizziness, sit down or lie down, put your legs up and immediately drink at least half a liter slowly. Sports drinks are particularly good; they replace salts that we lose when we sweat. Alcoholic drinks should be completely avoided on hot days. Because heat and alcohol have the same effect: they dilate the blood vessels, so that the blood in the arms and legs literally sags away.
4) Insects – stinging pain, annoying itching, dangerous swelling.
Insect bites are annoying and can cause itchy swelling. Most of the time, however, they are harmless. In the mouth or throat, however, bee or wasp stings can become really dangerous.
- First countermeasure: suck ice.
- At the slightest sign of respiratory distress, always call 911 immediately!
- In case of bee or wasp stings on the body, the poison sting must be removed.
- Then cool the sting with wet compresses and apply an ointment with an antihistamine (over-the-counter at the pharmacy).
Caution: those who are allergic to bee or wasp stings must always carry their emergency medication. Also read here what helps against mosquito bites.
5) Ticks: dogged attackers.
The small bloodsuckers lurk in grass and bushes. Long pants and mosquito repellent offer protection. Nevertheless, you should carefully scan your skin after hiking through forests and meadows, because ticks can transmit dangerous diseases.
- To remove in no case drip oil or glue on the tick, such “stress” only makes them to release potentially infectious saliva.
- With tweezers or special tick forceps (pharmacy) grasp the animal as close to the skin as possible and slowly pull it out upwards.
- Disinfect the spot afterwards.
- If tick remains in the skin or if a red spot forms in the next few days, go to the doctor.
- For TBE risk areas, vaccination may be recommended.
Here are tips on how to protect yourself from ticks.
6) Burning and watering eyes
A convertible ride, drafts or the bright sun – and already the eyes become red, itchy or feel as if there is sand in them. Cold air or strong irritate the eyes – there is an increased tear secretion, the conjunctivae are reddened. Mild conjunctivitis can be treated in the short term with over-the-counter eye drops from the pharmacy.In the case of infections of the eyes, a visit to the ophthalmologist is mandatory.
7) Running barefoot: Tips against blisters
Finally: sandals and ballerinas without stockings! Only stupid that gives so easily blisters. Sensitive areas therefore prefer to protect already as a precaution with a plaster. And always carry a few plasters in your purse, so that you can react at the first squeeze. Has formed a small blister after all:
- If possible, do not prick, but stick a special blister plaster.
- If the blister is large and very bothersome in the shoe, gently prick several times with a clean needle and gently squeeze.
- Do not cut away the skin.
- It is best to dab iodine, alcohol or a disinfectant wound ointment and protect with an air-permeable plaster.
8) Sunburn – and now?
Of course, it is best not to let it come to sunburn in the first place and protect yourself with appropriate clothing and sufficient use of sunscreen. But if it still comes times to a sunburn, it is called:
- Already at the first signs ASS (aspirin) take to prevent aggravation of sunburn.
- Cool the skin, for example with wet towels. Do not use cold packs from the freezer.
- Apply gels and lotions with hydrocortisone, chamomile or aloe vera.
- Drink enough – the sunburn deprives your skin of fluid.
- Hands off home remedies such as yogurt or cottage cheese: these can promote inflammation.
- If you suffer from severe discomfort or blistering after a sunburn, you should see a doctor.
