Summer is here, and people will take advantage of the longer days and warmer weather to spend time with their loved ones. But summertime is not always about having fun. Heat affects the entire body, including the eyes, gastric system, and skin.
The unbearable temperature brings with it various summertime illnesses if proper precautions are not observed. So to help you be aware of some risks, here are seven of the most common summertime illnesses, along with some tips on treating and avoiding them.
1. Heat Stroke
Heatstroke is a condition in which your body overheats due to excessive exposure to the heat. The most common symptoms are dizziness, nausea, weak pulse, and headache. As these illnesses can be fatal if left untreated, this is why it is important that you take the necessary protective measures against them.
Learn more about how to avoid heatstroke here:
2. Rash from Plants
During the summer, plants such as poison ivy and poison oak come out of their hiding spaces and spread over trees, grasses, and even sidewalks. Poison ivy can give you an itchy rash, while poison oak can give you a more severe itchy rash, and in some cases blisters.
Avoiding these illnesses is easy as long as you watch where you step during the summer, such as when walking around wooded areas or nature trails. You should also wear pants and closed-toe shoes if camping on poison ivy-infested camping sites.
3. Heat Rash
Heat rash is a yeast infection that comes as a result of excessive exposure to heat and sweating. While it may not be life-threatening, it can cause discomfort if left untreated, such as itchiness or soreness. The rash itself usually appears on the neck, chest, back, armpits, or groin.
Keep your body cool by drinking plenty of fluids, wearing light clothes, and taking naps when possible. You should also keep yourself covered in insect repellant to avoid getting bitten by insects that may cause illnesses such as West Nile virus, which can be fatal if inflicted with it for too long.
4. Sunburn and Skin Cancers
While the warmer weather is great for going outside to play, it can be damaging to your skin if you are not careful enough when out in the sun without sunscreen on. There are two illnesses associated with exposure to sunlight; sunburns and skin cancers (which all start as sunburns).
You should wear light clothing, especially when going to the beach. Carry around sunscreen and be sure to apply it liberally for protection against illnesses such as skin cancer. You can learn more about how you can avoid getting a sunburn here:
5. Foodborne illnesses
With all the barbecuing and picnicking you will be doing this summer, it is important not to eat raw food that has been sitting out in the sun for too long (such as meat) which can be a breeding ground for salmonella bacteria or E-coli.
Foodborne illnesses affect our digestive system and may vary in severity. While some illnesses are mild, others can prove fatal if not treated immediately. You should always wash your hands after going to the bathroom or handling raw meat.
6. Insect Bites and Mosquito-borne illnesses
With the heat comes insects and mosquitoes. To stay healthy, be sure to follow tips on how to protect yourself against these illnesses such as the West Nile virus. Be sure not to leave windows open where you are sleeping at night, and try using bug sprays that contain DEET, which help prevent mosquito bites from becoming illnesses.
Learn more about illnesses caused by insect bites here:
7. Sunburn and Skin Cancers From the Sun
This is another illness that people don’t realize can be fatal if left untreated for too long or until it is too late. During the summer, you will be spending a lot more time outside than usual, so you should take special care to keep yourself free from illnesses caused by exposure to sunlight such as sunburns or skin cancers (which all start as sunburns).
You can learn more about how you can avoid getting a sunburn here:
Conclusion
The summertime is a time of fun, relaxation, and excitement. But even with all the joys that come from this season, there are some risks associated with it as well. If you know what symptoms to look for in these illnesses and have an idea about how to treat them yourself at home, then your chance of getting sick goes down drastically. However, if you ever experience any serious symptoms during the summer months or want peace of mind knowing everything will be handled professionally by a medical professional when necessary.
