Keeping Your Cool: With the summer heat rising, the amount of time spent outside in the sunshine could have serious implications. The risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke rises along with the temperature and humidity levels. Heat illnesses, which occur when the body’s cooling mechanism becomes overheated, can be avoided with a few precautions. The best advice is to slow down when the temperatures start to rise. Watch for these heat culprits and follow some basic common sense rules:
Dehydration occurs when the body’s water supply is insufficient. Prevent dehydration by drinking lots of fluids and avoid those with caffeine, alcohol and high sugar content. According to Washington State University Assistant Dean Margaret Bruya, plain water is usually good enough to do the trick. Stay indoors or in shaded areas, wear light-weight, light-colored clothing and plan vigorous outdoor activities in the morning or evening, to avoid the hottest hours of the day.
Heat exhaustion, a milder form of heat-related illness, can develop well after the occurrence of dehydration. Children, the elderly and those with high blood pressure are most susceptible and should take extra precaution. Symptoms may include cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, muscle cramps, heavy perspiring and sometimes vomiting. If someone does experience heat exhaustion, Bruya says to be sure to move them to a cool place and remove any sweaty clothing they may be wearing. Make sure they lie down, and apply a cool compress to the back of their neck.
Heat Stroke occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature and is a much more serious condition—it can be life-threatening. Symptoms to watch out for include very high body temperature (above 103 degrees); hot, dry, red skin; absence of sweating; nausea; dizziness; confusion and sometimes hallucinations. Heat stroke can be a serious condition and should receive immediate medical attention by calling 911. In the meantime, Bruya advises immersing heat stroke victims in cold water or covering them with ice packs. If they appear to be in shock, elevate their feet until professional help arrives.
Water Warnings: Swimming and water sports go hand and hand with summertime. Whether in a pool, lake, river or ocean, swimmers beware: germs can contaminate water, making it an ideal environment for the spread of recreational water illnesses (RWIs). Watch out for:
Swimmer’s Ear: An infection of the ear and/or outer ear canal, which can cause the ear to itch or become red and inflamed, is most common in children and young adults. Drying your ears after swimming and avoiding polluted swimming areas can greatly reduce your risk of getting swimmer’s ear. Avoid putting objects such as cotton swabs in your ear as they might scratch the ear, creating a site for infection.
Washington State University Intercollegiate College of Nursing Assistant Dean for Academic Health Services Margaret Bruya suggests treating swimmer’s ear by cleaning the inner and outer ear and using antibacterial eardrops. If the case is serious, be sure to make follow-up appointments with a doctor to ensure the infection is gone.
Swimmer’s Itch: A skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to infection caused by certain parasites found in contaminated salt or fresh water—usually the shallow end with a lot of sea bird droppings. Common symptoms include tingling, burning and itching of the skin as well as, in some cases, reddish pimples which can become blisters. Swimmer’s itch is not communicable between people and does not necessarily require medical attention. Relieve this annoying summer side-effect by applying cool compresses and using anti-itch supplements.
According to Bruya, avoiding shallow, marshy water, not attracting birds to the area by feeding them and towel-drying or showering after water contact are all effective ways of preventing swimmer’s itch. Showering in fresh water is ideal to remove lingering effects. Remember also to wash or rinse out your bathing attire with hot, soapy water.
Established in 1968, the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing is fully-accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The college is the nation’s oldest and most comprehensive nursing education consortium. Celebrating 37 years of world-class nursing education, the college offers baccalaureate, graduate and professional development course work to nursing students enrolled through its four consortium partners: Eastern Washington University,
