\u2019Tis the season for easy living\u2014until a bug bite, a burn, or a little too much booze does you in. More than 29 million people are treated in the ER for injuries every year, according to the CDC, and summertime is far and away the busiest season. (This is especially bad news when you consider the fact that hospital medication errors\u2014and fatalities\u2014also spike in summer.) Here\u2019s how to avoid becoming a statistic, and some treatment tips if you\u2019re reading this a little too late.<\/p>\n
1. BBQ blunders
\n Making burgers and kabobs sounds like a brilliant idea, until you remember that you aren\u2019t a grill master. U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 8,200 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbecues per year, and burns to the skin and smoke inhalation are far more numerous.
\nSidestep it: Exercise caution when lighting the grill and opening the cover, since once it\u2019s fired up, the whole shebang is hot. And while it\u2019s tempting to toss some gasoline or kerosene on the grill to see it flame, \u201cRefrain,\u201d says Henderson D. McGinnis, MD, assistant professor in the department of emergency medicine at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Always grill in a well-ventilated area and use long tongs so you don\u2019t scorch yourself or your clothing. Learn 5 more grilling safety tips.
\nTreat it: If it\u2019s a minor burn, hold the skin under cool running water to reduce swelling for up to 15 minutes or until the pain subsides. \u201cIf the burn is on the face, hands, or over a large part of the body, you may want to seek medical attention,\u201d says Dr. McGinnis.<\/p>\n
2. Killer sunburns
\n They not only hurt like hell, they are evidence of a weakened skin defense. \u201cA burn is an inflammatory reaction by our skin to the sun,\u201d says Ranella Hirsch, MD, a Boston dermatologist. Plus, extensive research shows that repeated burns can damage your DNA and increase your risk of skin cancer.
\nSidestep it: Dr. Hirsh recommends sunscreens with broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection. \u201cBut more important than the number is how often you reapply it,\u201d says Dr. Hirsch. Slather on another two or three tablespoons every 90 minutes, whether you\u2019ve been in the water or not.
\nTreat it: If your skin is scorched, mix one part whole milk with one part cool water and gently apply it into the affected areas with a washcloth. \u201cThe proteins in the milk will take away the sting immediately,\u201d says Dr. Hirsch. And as it heals, resist the urge to peel off the flaking skin. \u201cYou\u2019re opening up ports of entry for infection.\u201d Get More All-Natural Sunburn Cures.<\/p>\n
3. Lawn mowing injuries
\n Cutting the grass is not only dirty and loud, it\u2019s dangerous: Each year 80,000 Americans require hospital treatment for lawnmower accidents, the majority of which are caused when other things\u2014think rocks and sticks\u2014are accidentally picked up and thrown by the mower blades.
\nSidestep it: Make sure your mower is in good working condition, clear the yard of any objects that could be flung by the lawnmower blades, and don\u2019t mow without enough daylight. \u201cAlways wear proper protective equipment, including pants, long sleeves, closed toe shoes, sunglasses and, ideally, hearing protection,\u201d says Dr. McGinnis.
\nTreat it: It depends on where you get hurt, but see a doctor right away if your eyes are injured. If you\u2019ve cut yourself, clean the wound with soap and water, and control the bleeding with pressure. \u201cIf the injury is severe, seek immediate medical attention,\u201d says Dr. McGinnis. <\/p>\n
4. Heat rashes
\n Prickly heat\u2014also known as heat rash\u2014can emerge on the skin in the hot, humid weather. Symptoms range from small blisters to deep, red lumps, and is often intensely itchy. You may spy it on your thighs after a sweaty walk or run, on your upper chest, and almost anywhere else on your body.
\nSidestep it: Reduce sweating by staying in the AC in extreme temps, and wear lightweight, breathable clothing when you can\u2019t hunker down indoors. Exercisers should change out of their soaking-wet gym clothes as soon as their workout is done and shower with an anti-bacterial soap: \u201cMost heat-related skin problems happen when your clothes trap in the sweat,\u201d says Dr. Hirsch.
\nTreat it: Mild cases should go away in time without any medical treatment. If you have a more severe rash, you can calm the skin with calamine lotion or, in more serious cases, topical steroids. <\/p>\n
MORE: Do You Smell? <\/p>\n
5. Aching feet
\n Flip-flops have their purpose, but walking in them all day shouldn\u2019t be one of them. \u201cThey provide no arch support, and they offer very little cushioning,\u201d says Tony Wanich, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. Plus, your exposed tootsies have no protection against sharp objects and dirt, and your ankles are sans support altogether.
\nSidestep it: Unless you\u2019re hanging out in a locker room, poolside, or on the beach, skip the flips and select a sturdier shoe. \u201cAs we get older, we tend to have collapsing of the arches, and a flip-flop doesn\u2019t do anything to help support that,\u201d says Dr. Wanich. \u201cThey throw off the entire alignment of your lower body, causing knee, back, and hip problems.\u201d Choose a sandal that has more contour and arch support. Learn More Ways Your Shoes Are Causing You Pain.
\nTreat it: OTC pain relievers may help, but now may be the time to get\u2014or give yourself\u2014a foot massage. Sit in a comfortable chair and gently rub lotion or oil into your toes, arch, and heel. For a deeper massage, press the knuckles of your hand into your foot, kneading it like bread dough. <\/p>\n
6. Massive hangovers
\n You may be inclined to f\u00eate like every night is the Fourth of July, but early-AM alarm clocks (and kids and job responsibilities) harshly remind us that we don\u2019t have all day to recuperate anymore. Plus, excessive alcohol consumption is linked to a host of health risks, including higher odds of developing breast cancer.
\nSidestep it: This is a no-brainer: Lose your glass after a drink\u2014or at the most two. If you know you\u2019ll be partying, plan ahead and take a B-50 complex supplement the night before. Excess alcohol depletes the body of essential B vitamins (which help break down alcohol in the body), so this supplement helps metabolize the alcohol. (See which summer cocktails are calorie bombs.)
\nTreat it: Drink as many fluids as you can. \u201cRehydrate with water and electrolyte-replacement solutions like sports drinks,\u201d says Dr. McGinnis. \u201cIf you can\u2019t keep liquids down, seek medical attention.\u201d <\/p>\n
7. Too-challenging workouts
\n You see a swimming pool, ball field or basketball court and forget it\u2019s been a few years (or decades) since you donned your varsity jacket. \u201cAs we get older, most of us haven\u2019t done enough to stay in shape, so we try to do things that our bodies aren\u2019t used to.\u201d says Dr. Wanich, \u201cSo basically, our bodies aren\u2019t adequately prepared.\u201d
\nSidestep it: The most common injuries are knee sprains, since older, less flexible tendons are less able to tolerate impact and load. \u201cWarm up adequately before attempting any exercise,\u201d says Dr. Wanich. And don\u2019t just stretch the body parts you\u2019ll be using for a specific activity, like the shoulders if you\u2019re throwing or quads if you\u2019re running. \u201cEvery athletic movement involves the entire body,\u201d he says.
\nTreat it: If you have a sprain, take OTC anti-inflammatories and rest, ice, wrap and elevate it. \u201cIf after two days it\u2019s still painful, you have a limited range of motion, or you can\u2019t put weight on the joint, you should see a doctor to have it evaluated further,\u201d says Dr. Wanich.<\/p>\n
8. Bug bites
\n Creatures that crawl and sting are one of summer\u2019s biggest drags. And beyond the creep factor, mosquitoes can carry West Nile virus and ticks can carry Lyme disease, two very serious (and potentially deadly) diseases.
\nSidestep it: If you\u2019re heading into the woods, skip the shorts and tanks and cover up with lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants. Make sure to also wear insect repellant on exposed skin.
\nTreat it: About 80% of patients with Lyme disease develop a circular, red \u201cbull\u2019s-eye\u201d rash at the site of the tick bite. If you spy that, see your doctor immediately. Symptoms of West Nile include fever, headache, tiredness, and body aches, a skin rash on the trunk of the body, and swollen lymph glands. See a doc for that, too. <\/p>\n
9. Dehydration
\n It happens when your body loses more fluid than you take in, and high temps accelerate the problem by switching our sweat glands into overdrive. Dehydration can lead to a host of health problems, ranging from sluggish brain function to heat exhaustion or stroke.
\nSidestep it: Stay hydrated by drinking water or electrolyte replacement solutions whenever you feel thirsty. Freeze a half-full water bottle and fill it before you head outside. Take sips regularly if you\u2019re exercising; six to eight ounces of water every 15 minutes should be enough. \u201cYou should try to do outdoor activities during the cooler times of the day, and if you work outside, make sure you take frequent breaks in the shade,\u201d says Dr. McGinnis.
\nTreat it: Most adults with mild to moderate dehydration can improve their condition just by drinking more water, according to experts at the Mayo Clinic. If you\u2019re severely dehydrated, head to the ER where you can receive intravenous fluids to restore your balance.<\/p>\n
#summer<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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