by Sierra Rozen, Senior Multiplatform Journalist with Community Impact
Summertime can bring sunny weather and vacations by the pool, but it can also mark an uptick in certain medical situations that more often happen in warmer temperatures.
Dr. Urvashi Barua-Nath, the medical director for the pediatric emergency room atUTMB Health Clear Lake, broke down different summer situations and common misconceptions associated with them.
Jellyfish stings
Jellyfish stings are very common due to Houston’s proximity to the gulf and are usually unintentional.
Common misconception
If something alkalotic or acidic is poured on the sting, like urine, it is supposed to relieve the sting.
Fact/treatment:Instead, try submerging the body part affected by the sting into as warm as possible water to help remove the toxins.
Bug bites
Besides mosquitoes, summertime can also bring an uptick in wasp, bee, fire ant and caterpillar stings.
“The main emergency that we look for as emergency room physicians is what we call a severe anaphylaxis, or a severe allergic reaction,” Dr. Barua-Nath said. “Signs of that are usually very soon after the insect bite. You can develop hives, facial swelling, difficulty breathing, change in your mental status and dizziness. Any symptoms like that are a medical emergency, and we want you to call 9-1-1.”
Common misconception:
Parents bring the kids into the emergency room because they have these large local reactions to insect bites, and they're worried they're getting infected, usually within the first 24 hours.
Fact/treatment:
Bites can be treated with antihistamines or topical hydrocortisone. If after a few days, the bite becomes painful or begins leaking clear fluid, then people are encouraged to come to the ER.
Snake bites
Snake bites are also very common in the area, but the majority of snakes in the Houston area are nonvenomous and should not be killed.
Common misconception
Toxins can be removed by sucking out the venom from the snake bite or by using a tourniquet to prevent the spread of the toxins.
Fact/treatment:Whether the snake is venomous or nonvenomous, anyone bitten should be brought to the ER for immediate treatment.
Firework burns
With multiple holidays occurring in the summer, firework injuries are very common and fireworks should be approached with extreme caution. "We just got through the Fourth of July, and so that's a common time where we see a number of firework burns and injuries," Dr. Barua-Nath said. "We would like to remind the public that fireworks are explosives and they're projectile explosives, so please be mindful to follow the instructions meticulously."
Common misconception:
Burns can only be caused by large firework explosions.
Fact/treatment:
Fireworks burns most commonly occur from smaller items like sparklers, or other items such as fire pits or barbecue pits.
Blistering sunburn
Living in Texas carries a high risk of sunburn, so people are encouraged to avoid being outside during peak heat. If people have to be outside, make sure to appropriately prepare for it.
Common misconception:When it is overcast out or not as hot, people cannot become sunburned.
Fact/treatment:
Whenever there is any kind of sunshine on exposed skin, without sun protection, there is always a risk for skin to become burned or blistered and retain long-term skin damage.
Heat exhaustion
When heat is combined with high humidity, the body has a harder time regulating internal temperature.
"Heat-related injuries, like any other injuries, are a continuum from very mild heat-related injuries which can just be heat illness, to heat exhaustion, all the way up to heat emergencies, where you can have seizures and organ injury,"" Dr. Barua-Nath said.
Common misconception:
Stopping activity in the heat will immediately solve and prevent heat exhaustion.
Fact/treatment:
Once a person starts suffering from heat-related injuries, they need to be immediately removed from the heat and the body needs to start cooling down through cold water and fluids.
Potential/near drowning
Being around pools, oceans, lakes and other large bodies of water in the summer can increase the risk for drowning, especially for younger children.
Common misconception:
Drowning is a loud and obvious accident.
Fact/treatment:
Majority of the time, drowning is a very quiet accident and can happen in the blink of an eye. Make sure to always have someone who is confirmed to be watching people out in the water.
To learn more about howUTMB Healthis helping with summer-related medical incidents, visit thewebsite.
The above story was produced by Community Impact's Senior Multi Platform Journalist Sierra Rozen with information solely provided by the local business as part of its "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
