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The Joys and Hazzards of Summer

by Joy Koenig, M.D., M.S.
Board Certified in Preventive Medicine
Originally published on www.ourmaine.com (1999 - 2000)
© Joy Koenig 1999-2008 All Rights Reserved
(Internet links may no longer be operational)

 

       I spent most of the long drive from Ohio to the salty ocean beaches of the East Coast staring at the back of my brother's head. As the youngest member of our family, I was squished in the middle of the back seat between my older twin sisters.

       My brother, the oldest and the only boy, had the prime seat -- up front with my parents. This gave him him a panoramic view of the Pennsylvania countryside, and the first sightings of upcoming tunnels and bridges. And, of course, the first view of the ocean at the end of our 12-hour journey.

       I suppose most 8-year-olds would be fairly fidgety at the end of a twelve hour drive. I was beyond fidgety, well into frenzied. I had no comfortable way to position my legs because of the transmission hump, and had to crane my neck to see out a window. No surprise that these drives always took longer than I wanted them to take!

       As soon as the car stopped in Aunt Dahlia's driveway, I fought my way across my sister's lap and out the car door. Ah! It felt so good to be able to move my legs again. The tangy breeze licked my sweaty face as I bolted for the old rusty swing set behind the swimming pool. I wanted to climb up on the cross bar to get a good view of this magical back yard.

       As I pulled myself up onto the bar, I noticed Aunt Dahlia's swing set didn't have a plastic cap on the end of the long metal top support beam. I promptly stood up on the cross bar, grabbing the top beam for balance, and peered into the dark, yet inviting opening.

       Bzzzzzzzzzz! Before my eyes could adjust to the darkness, I was greeted by a swarm of yellow jackets. Reflexively, I let go of the top support beam to swat them away from my face and ears. Fortunately, I landed on my bum, not my head. Not so fortunately, I had eight or ten bites on the tender skin around my eyes and nose.

       Ah, summer vacation! For many people, kids and adults, this is a favorite time of year. Here are some health issues to keep in mind as the days turn warmer, and we spend more active time outdoors:

• Insect Bites: Bright colors and sweet smells attract bees and wasps, so you might attract more if you wear cologne or perfume to picnic or outdoor concert. Remember, only honeybees die after one sting. All other stinging insects, including yellow jackets, can continue jabbing you. That is how I ended up with so many bites in such a short period of time.
  
  Fewer than 4 percent of people stung by insects will have an allergic reaction. No need to race off to the emergency room if you experience pain, swelling and redness at the bite site, unless you have a known sting allergy.
  
  When should you seek immediate medical treatment? If you or your child develops:
  • generalized hives, itching, or swelling;
  • difficulty breathing or a sense of chest tightness;
  • a hoarse voice or swollen tongue;
  • dizziness;
  • faintness or unconsciousness.

  For more information you can call the information hotline of the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology at 1-800-822-2762.

• Lyme Disease Ticks: Anyone out in fields and forests of New England this summer is at some risk for Lyme disease. If left untreated, early symptoms can progress into heart or nervous system disorders and arthritis. Maine Farm Safety Fact Sheet on Lyme disease: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nasd/docs3/me97061.html
  
  
• Toxic Plants: As every parent knows, young children have a tendency to put things into their mouths. Some common plants such as azaleas, daffodils and holly can be poisonous if swallowed. Most poisoning can be treated at home with advice from the poison control center. Call our local poison control (207-871-2950 or 800-442-6305) if you think your child may have eaten a poisonous plant.
  
  
• Sunburn and UV Exposure: The best solution is protection from overexposure. If you've overdone it, jump into a cool bath, lather on some aloe vera gel and take an anti-inflammatory medication such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Be especially careful if you are taking medication. Certain prescriptions such as tetracycline, Retin-A and Lidone (Molindone) can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about your medication and sun sensitivity.
  
         Okay, so we don't like to think about something as serious as cancer when the season of summer fun is finally here, especially when summers in Maine are so short. There is evidence that even a single sunburn in childhood may increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. Children have thinner, more sensitive skin. Even 10 to 15 minutes of exposure to the summer sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. can result in serious burns for children.
  
         Wear your sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. If you are at high risk -- fair coloring or fair skin, family history of skin cancer, an occupation that keeps you outdoors -- get yourself to a dermatologist on a regular basis to screen for early signs of skin cancer.
  
  
• Water, Water Everywhere: In the heat of summer, dehydration can creep up fast. Drink enough so your urine is a very pale yellow or even clear. Most adults need at least five 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Keep an eye on your kids -- that "ready to drop" look can be from dehydration, not heat or tiredness. Feeling listless and light-headed? Drink up! and remember that alcohol acts as a diuretic, making you even more dehydrated. That ice-cold beer may sound thirst quenching, but you'd be better off drinking an icy cold glass of water or juice before sipping anything with alcohol in it. Oh, and while we're on the topic of water, remember that all kinds of nasty organisms can grow in water. Chlorine doesn't kill everything. Teach your kids not to drink pool water by keeping plastic bottles of healthier choices nearby.
  
         For a good overview of water safety, hop over to this web site: http://web2.iadfw.net/wch0/watrsafe.htm
  
  
• On the Road Again: Going on a road trip this summer? Check out some natural ways to stay healthy when you are away from home: http://www.homearts.com/depts/health/alt/77bastf1.htm
  
         For conventional wisdom, visit the Centers for Disease Control's travel web site: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm
  
  
• Heading up to your favorite campsite? Visit this site to freshen up on campsite safety: http://www.billbra.com/backpack/tips/campsite.htm
  
  
• Picnic Paradise or Purgatory? A daylong food feast can turn a lazy summer day into a sleepless night. If you go on a picnic keep all salads and meats cool -- temperatures below 45 degrees F -- so bacteria can't grow fast enough to overwhelm your body's immune system defenses. For more information about food poisoning, visit the Bad Bug Book (http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/intro.html) or the State of California's site on food poisoning (http://www.calpoison.org/public/food.html).

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summer hazzards, health hazzards summertime