The smell of suntan lotion, the flavors of ice cream, and the warmth of the sun on our faces are all familiar smells, tastes, and the feel of summer. Be sure you are doing all the right things while being outside and enjoying this wonderful time of year.
Alexandra Pesold, NP, with Massena Hospital’s Kids Korner noted there are important steps we should take when being outside in the heat and humidity that often go hand-in-hand with the summers of our region. Whether you are working outside or enjoying leisure time, be summer safety smart.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially when it's hot outside.
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
- Never swim alone and make sure there's a lifeguard or an adult watching when you're in the water.
- Take breaks in the shade or indoors to avoid overheating and give your skin a break from the sun.
Sun safety
Wearing sunscreen is a must for everyone spending time in the sun, and don’t be fooled by cloudy skies, as the sun’s UVB rays can easily pass through them.
“Children and adults should wear sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30. SPF 30 blocks about 97 percent of the sun's harmful UVB rays. It's important to reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially if you're swimming, sweating, or toweling off, as water and sweat can wash it away,” Pesold said. “Don’t wait until you are already in the sun. Make sure to put it on 15-30 minutes before going outside to give it time to absorb into your skin.”
Keeping your head covered and protected is another point to consider because it helps protect your face, neck, and ears from harmful UV rays. These areas are often exposed to the sun and can easily get sunburned.
“A hat with a wide brim can further help to shade your eyes, reducing the risk of eye damage and making it easier to see on bright days. Plus, it helps keep you cooler by providing some shade for your head and face. A hat not only protects your skin from sunburn and potential skin cancer, but also helps keep you comfortable in the heat,” Pesold said.
If you are headed to the beach, remember to bring flip-flops or light shoes to wear in the sand, as hot sand can burn the bottom of your feet and cause painful burns. When sand heats up from the sun, it can heat up higher than the air temperature, and can easily be checked by touching it with your hand before stepping on it.
Staying healthy
Many people may not realize that there are differences between heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and sun poisoning.
- Heat exhaustion happens when your body gets too hot from being in the sun too long and you might feel dizzy, sweaty, and tired.
- Heat stroke is more serious and happens when your body can't cool down anymore; you might stop sweating, feel confused, or even pass out.
- Sun poisoning is like a really bad sunburn and can make you feel sick with nausea, headache, and chills.
“To make things simple, heat exhaustion is when you're overheating but still sweating; heat stroke is when your body overheats dangerously and stops sweating; and sun poisoning is an extreme sunburn with flu-like symptoms,” Pesold said.
“Someone should receive medical care for a sunburn if it is very severe with symptoms of large blisters, swelling, intense pain, headache, confusion, chills, fever, or if the sunburn covers a large area of the body,” she added. “Also, if the sunburn doesn’t improve after a few days or gets worse, it’s important to see a medical provider. Severe sunburns can lead to dehydration and infections, so getting medical help can prevent more serious problems.”
A barbecue or picnic is often part of many summer celebrations, but don’t let the party end in sickness by leaving food out too long in hot temperatures. Food can be left out for a while, but not for hours.
“Perishable foods like sandwiches, salads, and dairy products should not be left out for more than two hours because bacteria can grow quickly at room temperature. If it's a really hot day, above 90°F, you should only leave food out for one hour. After that, it's safer to toss the food to avoid getting sick. To keep your picnic safe, try to keep perishable foods cool and toss anything that's been out too long,” Pesold said.
And, of course, it wouldn’t be a summer outing without bugs. Remember that it's important to apply bug spray to help keep mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects from biting you. Bug bites can be itchy and annoying, but they can also spread diseases like Lyme disease and West Nile virus.
Some bug sprays are better than others because they contain different active ingredients. DEET and picaridin are two of the most effective ingredients for repelling bugs. Natural options like lemon eucalyptus oil can also work but might need to be reapplied more often.
“Using a good bug spray keeps you comfortable and safe from insect-borne illnesses,” Pesold said.
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