Sunburn and hay fever are common summer health issues, but there are some you might not have heard about. GP Dr. Deyo Famuboni shares some summer health problems to look at out for and find out how to avoid them
Summer days mean spending more time outdoors. Though enjoyable, it will probably be unsafe, here’s what to look at out for..
#1 Eye injuries
We regularly take our eyes as a right, and whilst we’d remember to make use of sunscreen, we regularly forget to guard our eyes.
Sunrays can result in several eye problems, even on a cloudy day. From treatable conditions like inflammation of the cornea (photokeratitis) or an overgrowth of the conjunctiva (pterygium), to long-term damage with cataracts and macular degeneration, these eye conditions are related to exposure of the eyes to sunlight.
Sunglasses will block UV – when you select fastidiously
Symptoms include pain, noticing a growth in the attention and a decrease in your vision, respectively. With the intention to prevent these, it will be important to guard the eyes using sunglasses that filter out UV rays. Sunglasses will block UV – when you select fastidiously.
Light is measured in nanometeres, with UV rays measuring 320 to 390 nanometres. If sunglasses carry a CE mark (a European standard of UV protection) meaning they need to allow not more than 5 per cent of UV rays below 380 nanometres to get through.
The opposite thing you might see in your glasses is a UV 400 sign – which just implies that the glasses mustn’t allow in UV rays below 400 nanometers. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat also helps.
#2 Food poisoning
Summertime means barbecues and salads. Although they will be healthy, the danger of food poisoning also increases if proper food handling rules are usually not followed.
Symptoms normally start between one to a few days after exposure, and sometimes range from mild, with bouts of diarrhoea or vomiting, to severe, with associated fevers, dizziness, decrease in urine frequency, dehydration, persisting abdominal pain, and blood and mucous within the stool.
Cleanliness, Cook thoroughly, Chill appropriately and avoid Cross-contamination
Mild food poisoning tends to be self-limiting, and staying hydrated with roughly 200mls (a small glass) of fluids for each episode is all that it takes.
If you may have associated symptoms or concerns, it’s best to hunt medical advice. In accordance with the Food Standards Agency, adhering to the ‘4 Cs’ helps prevent food poisoning: Cleanliness, Cook thoroughly, Chill appropriately and avoid Cross-contamination.
#3 Swimmer’s ear
Also often called otitis externa, swimmer’s ear is inflammation of the skin within the ear canal. Frequent swimming is a risk factor because water gets into the ear, which then irritates and inflames the skin.
This provides the proper environment for micro-organisms to grow and cause an infection. The ear may grow to be itchy or uncomfortable they usually may discharge. Hearing may grow to be dull. Topical ear drops from the pharmacy often settle this.
The most effective strategy to prevent swimmer’s ear is to maintain the ears dry, using a good fitting cap when swimming, or silicone based earplugs, in the event that they don’t irritate the ear canals. Avoid irritating the ears through the use of cotton buds, fingers or towels.
#4 Hay fever
Becoming increasingly common, hay fever affects roughly one in 4 people within the UK. An individual is more in danger in the event that they produce other allergies, resembling asthma or eczema.
Hay fever is as a result of a response to the pollen from plants, leading to inflammation and the everyday symptoms of itchy and watery throat, nose and eyes; sneezing; coughing; headaches and tiredness. Some persons are affected earlier within the spring, and others in late summer due to the several pollens released.
Some persons are affected earlier within the spring, and others in late summer due to the several pollens released.
Decreasing pollen exposure will help to stop symptoms. This includes avoiding outdoors during peak pollen count times, protecting eyes when outdoors, using protective balms around nostrils, showering and changing once indoors, and keeping doors and windows shut.
Treatments that help include antihistamines and nasal sprays that will be obtained over-the-counter. To forestall symptoms, it is usually price taking medications a few weeks before the season starts.
If symptoms are severe or you may have other allergies, especially asthma, seeing your doctor can be useful as other treatments resembling immunotherapy may help.
#5 Sunburn
This may occur with just a number of hours of sun exposure, including sunbeds and sunlamps.
Hot skin that feels painful to the touch will likely be the primary sign of sunburn. Blisters may also occur, and over a number of days the skin can begin to peel.
At the acute end, you’ll be able to get fevers, chills, headaches, fatigue, nausea or a rash. Within the long-term, sunburn may cause chronic skin damage with wrinkles, sunspots and skin cancer.
Sun protection, even on a cloudy day, is the most effective strategy to prevent this. All of us need vitamin D and though dietary sources exist, the sun is a crucial source.
Anti-inflammatory medications resembling ibuprofen will help with the pain
Various opinions exist amongst dermatologists and scientists on sun exposure risk and obtaining vitamin D. The incidence of skin cancer is increasing, so sun protection is significant.
Also, even with sunscreens, some rays still reach the skin and this, combined with dietary vitamin D, could also be adequate. In the event you do get sunburned, keeping hydrated and cooling the skin down with showers, cool compresses and topical gels resembling aloe vera and moisturisers will help.
Anti-inflammatory medications resembling ibuprofen will help with the pain. Seek medical attention if it doesn’t improve in a few days or there are associated fevers, headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, signs of an infection or blisters affecting a big a part of the body.
#6 Lyme disease
As the nice and cozy weather sets in, we spend more time within the countryside. There are many health advantages to this, but insect bites, specifically from ticks, is usually a cause for concern.
Lyme disease, or tick bite fever, can occur and cause each short- and long-term effects. Most individuals don’t recall being bitten, but notice a bite with a red circular rash around it. This may occur between three days to about one month after the bit occurs.
long-term, chronic Lyme disease can present itself as mental or cognitive problems and arthritis
There will be associated flu-like symptoms. Some people can clear this without treatment; nevertheless, it will probably progress to cause joint pain, weakness, fatigue, heart and neurological problems if it’s not treated with antibiotics. Within the long-term, chronic Lyme disease can present itself as mental or cognitive problems and arthritis.
Treatment is due to this fact necessary, must you be bitten by a tick. Prevention by being aware of areas with infestation, using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves, tucking your trousers in your socks and closed shoes is vital.
Checking the skin each day for tick bites and removing ticks as soon as possible also helps. If found, use tweezers, forceps or a tick removal device to know the pinnacle and mouth parts as near the skin as you’ll be able to, and slowly pull upwards, away from the skin without crushing the tick.
#7 Heat exhaustion
Once we sweat excessively, we lose salt and water and might easily grow to be dehydrated in the summertime. Body temperature also rises, which might result in heat exhaustion. Associated nausea, headaches, faintness and dizziness can occur.
Moving to a cool place and drinking a great deal of fluids normally results in recovery inside half-hour. If left untreated, this could result in heatstroke – when the body temperature rises above 40 degrees Centigrade.
Confusion, vomiting, fast respiratory and lack of consciousness can occur. Heatstroke is a medical emergency and it is best to summon immediate medical help.
#8 Skin rashes
From prickly heat rash as a result of clogged sweat glands to allergic skin reactions from insect bites or exposure to plant sap or oak processionary moths, different skin rashes can occur in the summertime.
Keeping the skin cool and exfoliating frequently to minimise construct up of dead skin cells will help to stop miliaria (prickly heat rash). Allergic skin rashes are inclined to be self-limiting and oral antihistamines and topical creams will help with the symptoms of itch and inflammation.
different skin rashes can occur in the summertime
The rash from oak processionary moths (these can occur as much as around 20 metres from affected oak trees) specifically can last a number of weeks. There could also be associated sore throat, eye and respiratory problems- a condition called lepidopterism.
Should this occur, it’s advisable to hunt medical help. If you may have a history of severe allergic reactions, all the time remember to have your adrenaline pen with you.
Deyo Famuboni is a London GP.
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