Campus & Community

When Summer Turns Painful, Here’s What to Do

Friday, June 21, 2019, By Kelly Homan Rodoski

First Aid kitDr. Karen Nardella, medical director of Health Services, and her team offer tips on how to treat some of the most common summertime ailments, including sunburn, dehydration and (ugh) ticks.

SUNBURN:

What home remedies do you recommend to soothe the pain/redness?

  1. Cool compresses
  2. Aloe Vera based gels or calamine lotion
  3. For pain–ibuprofen

When should you seek medical treatment?

  1. Extensive blistering
  2. Severe pain
  3. Systemic symptoms like fever, headache, vomiting

 

BUG BITES:

How can you treat itchy bites?

  1. Cold packs
  2. Calamine lotion
  3. Oral antihistamines–NOT topical antihistamines

When should you seek medical treatment?

  1. Systemic allergic reactions (very rare)–hives, shortness of breath, vomiting

 

EATING SPOILED FOOD AT A PICNIC:

What should you do if you get a stomach ailment from what you suspect might be spoiled food and subsequent symptoms?

  1. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, especially fluids with electrolytes.
  2. Eat small meals and avoid fats and dairy.
  3. Rest.

When should you seek medical treatment?

  1. Severe abdominal pain
  2. Unable to drink or eat
  3. Vomiting blood
  4. Fever above 100.4°F
  5. Young children or older adults should seek care regardless.

 

DEHYDRATION FROM SPORTS/ACTIVITIES:

How do you know you might be dehydrated?

  1. Feeling thirsty
  2. Urinating less or dark urine
  3. Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  4. Dry mouth

What should you do to rehydrate?

  1. Drink plenty of fluids containing electrolytes.

When should you seek medical treatment?

  1. Confusion
  2. Fainting
  3. Unable to urinate for 12 hours
  4. Chest pain
  5. Abdominal pain
  6. Difficulty breathing
  7. High fever (103°F)

 

TICKS:

How can I protect against ticks?

  1. Wear light-colored clothing with a tight weave.
  2. Wear enclosed shoes, long pants.
  3. Check clothes and exposed skin after spending time outdoors.
  4. Bathe/Shower as soon as possible after going indoors.
  5. Do a full body tick check at the end of the day.
  6. Avoid dense woods and bushy areas.

When should I seek medical treatment?

  1. Rash
  2. Joint pain
  3. Fever
  4. Tick attached greater than 36 hours