Stay Healthy this Summer (Part II)

If you miss Part I of this post, go over here.

So what are the rest of health issues to avoid this summer season?

HEAT RASH
Also known as prickly rash often occurs in children due to clogged sweat duct resulting in a mild inflammation. Skin becomes dry, itchy and sore, while the inflamed sweat ducts looks like small bumps with a red halo around them. The rash is mostly seen in the folds of the skin where sweat can get trapped, such as the neck, armpits and the groin area.

RX: It usually resolves on its own once the skin cools or is allowed to breathe. Calamine lotion maybe helpful for adults but babies and young children should see their pediatricians before being given any medications.
PREVENTION: Avoid exercising in a hot, humid environment, and wearing tight clothing that prevents sweat – babies have immature sweat glands and are not able to get rid of all the sweat they produce, so avoid overdressing them. Keep the skin cool on hot days. Bathe frequently to prevent clogged seat glands.

HEAT STROKE
Heat stroke is a severe form of heat illness (the others being heat exhaustion or heat cramps) characterized by high body temperature, a rapid pulse, headache, and disorientation. If the body heat is not dissipated immediately, it can lead to brain damage and death. Heat stroke may also be due to the kind of clothing worn and the duration of the exposure.

Infants, young children, the elderly, and athletes are at great risk. Children are more susceptible because they do not sweat enough or cool down as effectively as adults. Be alarmed when your body temperature is greater than 40 degrees Celsius and you experience the symptoms mentioned above.

RX: Heat stroke is a medical emergency. The victim must be cooled immediately: Move to a shaded area, remove his clothes and apply cool water to his skin and ice packs under his armpits and groin. Rotate ice water-soaked towels to other parts of the body. If the victim is alert, offer him cool water to drink. Continue cooling the victim until his temperature drops to 38.3 – 38.8 degree Celsius.
PREVENTION: Avoid becoming dehydrated as well as engaging in vigorous physical activities in hot and humid weather. Additionally, if a child is currently ill or recovering from an illness (especially gastrointestinal illness like diarrhea and vomiting), he should avoid or limit sports participation, or other physical activity in the heat.

MEASLES
A common viral illness among preschool children, measles is transmitted through the air and enters a person through the respiratory tract. It usually starts with a low-grade fever, a cold, sore eyes and a cough. On the third day of illness, a rash usually appears first on the head, going down to the neck and body. Diarrhea and pneumonia may also occur. It is contagious one to two days before the onset of symptoms, and up to four to five days after the appearance of the rash.

RX: Paracetamol for fever and adequate nutrition and fluids.
PREVENTION: Make sure that children regularly receive their measles vaccinations (starting at 6 – 9 months of age) and booster shots. Patience with measles should be isolated to prevent transmission.

OTITIS MEDIA
This inflammation of the middle ear caused by a virus or bacteria is a common cold complication and characterized by fever, ear pain, irritability and change in eating or sleeping habits.

RX: Prescription antibiotics.
PREVENTION: Avoid individuals with respiratory infections.

SORE EYES
Sore eyes or conjunctivitis is the redness and swelling of the thin tissue covering the white part of the eye and inside the eye lids. There are four kinds:

The first is bacterial or viral, which usually accompanies a viral cold or flu. You can get conjunctivitis if you put contaminated washcloths or towels against your eyes or when you touch your eyes after touching something handles by a person with sore eyes.

The second kind of sore eyes is chemical, most often due to swimming in chlorinated water; other causes may be irritation from soap, eye makeup, wearing false eyelashes, and hair spray.

The third is allergic, in response to grass and other pollen.

And the fourth is immune-related – meaning it may be part of another illness like Kawasaki disease. Symptoms include redness, swelling, itchiness; in some there might be pain and excessive tearing.

RX: Consult your doctor. Discharge from the eyes may need to be examined in a laboratory to determine the specific bacteria. For allergic conjunctivitis, the itching and sweating may be relieved by applying a cool compress to the infected eyes for 10 minutes.
PREVENTION: Practice proper hand hygiene at all times. Sanitize commonly held objects like doorknobs, telephones, toys and table surfaces. Teach your child to avoid sharing washcloths. Wear protective goggles when swimming.

SUNBURN
First-degree-burns – pain and redness and, in extreme cases, blistering – on the outer surface of the skin are due to prolonged sun exposure.

RX: Sunburn can be treated at home unless there are signs of heat stroke, severe dehydration, or more than half the body is covered in blisters. Take a cool bath to soothe the pain, put lotion to relieve the itching, and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
PREVENTION: Cover up with a hat and light, loose clothing if you will be out in the sun. Stay indoors during the hottest times of the day. When sun exposure is inevitable, apply at least two coats of sunscreen to all exposed areas of the body 15 to 30 minutes before exposure, and reapply 15 to 30 minutes after sun exposure begins.

There you go. Be mindful of safe summer practices. Stay indoors at the hottest time of the day, supervise children when they swim and always keep a first-aid kit on hand.

Have a fun-filled summer! ;)

 

Source: Good Housekeeping Mag – March 2012 issue