Blossoms Healthcare asked me to write about a health related topic and since summer is already here in my country, I decided to write about common summer diseases and how to prevent it.
1. Prickly Heat
Prickly Heat or Miliaria is a common skin disease that usually develops because of too much heat. Children are mostly affected because their sweat glands are not fully develop. Prickly heat rash develops when a person sweats too much and the glands are blocked.
The symptoms of Prickly heat rash includes small red spots with prickling sensation. This usually goes on its own but sever cases can lead to infection. How? because of its prickling sensation, one may have the urge to scratch it and with dirty hands, bacteria can enter the skin and can cause infection. Prickly heat usually affects parts of the body that is covered such as back, abdomen, neck and chest.
How To Prevent Prickly Heat rashes?
Since prickly heat rashes develops because of too much heat, preventive measures includes keeping yourself cool. During summer, take a bath at least twice a day and use cotton and light clothing. Avoid too much sun exposure and as much as possible, avoid too much sweating. Staying in a cool place (such as air conditioned room) can make a big difference.
How To Treat Prickly Heat Rashes?
Prickly heat rashes can go on its own and the preventive measures mentioned above can also be done to treat and speed up the healing process. If you suspect that the rashes developed an infection, consult your doctor immediately.
2. Sore Eyes
Another commonly experienced disease during summer is Sore Eyes. It is the inflammation of the thin membrane covering the eyeball and the inner eyelid. The inflammation is usually brought about by viral infection. Sore eyes is highly contagious and one can get infected when their hand got contact with someone who has sore eyes then rub their eyes. It is most common during summer because the surroundings are drier and the wind easily carries the irritants to our eyes. Symptoms of sore eyes includes redness of the eyes and itchiness and a feeling that there is something inside your eyes.
How to Prevent Sore Eyes?
Frequent hand washing is the key to prevent sore eyes. It is also advised not to rub your eyes when it gets itchy.
How To Treat Sore Eyes?
I once experienced sore eyes and though not painful it can be irritating. The inflammation can go on its own but what I did then was subject my eyes to running water. It went away after 2 days. You can also use an ice pack to lessen the itchiness of the eyes. If the inflammation gets worse, call your doctor.
3. Heat stroke
Heat Stroke can be deadly if not treated immediately. Heat stroke is a sudden increase of temperature inside our body, this happens when there is too much heat that our body was not able to cope up with it. Symptoms of heat stroke includes raise in temperature of the body, nausea, vomiting, weakness and dehydration.
How To Prevent Heat Stroke?
To prevent heat stroke, one must be cautious when doing vigorous activities during summer. Drinking lots of water during summer can also prevent heat stroke.
How To Treat Heat Stroke?
Heat stroke patients needs to be taken car of immediately, this is an emergency case and the first you have to do is to bring the patient to a cool, shady place. Remove clothing and water the body to lower the temperature. If the patient can drink, give them cold water. Fan the patient to avoid sweating. It will also help if you can put an ice pack to the patient’s arm pits and groin area. Monitor the body temperature until it drops down to 38 C.
4. Nose Bleeding
A few people may experience nose bleeding but to those who do, you may notice that your nose bleeds more during summer (or during winter). Nose bleeding is a hereditary illness, the lining inside the nose is thin thus resulting to bleeding even with a slight physical contact. Extreme temperature can also result to nose bleeding.
How To Prevent Nose Bleeding?
When my little girl experienced nose bleeding, I was scared. Everyone will agree (specially mommies) that blood on your kid is not a good sight and you can’t help but worry big time. When we brought my little to her pedia, Doc said that the only way to prevent it is to stop nose picking.
How To Treat Nose Bleeding?
Nose bleeding stops on its own and also goes away as the child gets older. You have to teach your child how to treat themselves when nose bleeding happens. First, apply pressure on the affected nose by pressing your finger on it. Do not look up, a common misconception with nose bleeding. Looking up may cause the blood to go down your mouth or worst, your lungs. Bow down and keep applying pressure. Place an ice pack on forehead and take a rest.
5. Sunburn
Too much exposure to sun can lead to sunburn. It is a condition where the skin is burned by too much sun rays. The skin becomes read and irritated.
To prevent sunburn, always apply sunscreen lotion before going out. Be conscious of the SPF on your lotion. SPF of 15 to 30++ is OK as long as you don’t stay under the sun for long period of time. For swimming, use SPF of 50++.
To treat sunburn, take a cool bath and apply cooling gel to your skin. It also helps if you are well hydrated, so drink plenty of water.
6. Stomach Flu
Stomach flu cases increases during summer because the heat makes the food more susceptible to food poisoning. Stomach flu patients may experience nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps.
To prevent stomach flu, you need be very conscious of what you eat during summer. Know the food you are eating and as much as possible do not eat left over food.
Treatment of stomach flu includes taking a rest, drinking lots of water and soft diet.
7. Head Lice
Head Lice is not dangerous but they are contagious and lice bites can be very itchy. Why is it that head lice infection is higher during summer? Well, because kids play more, the tendency of lice transmit is higher. Lice are easily transmitted through head to head contact.
To prevent head lice, always make sure that you shampoo your kids well.
To treat head lice, specialized shampoos are available, just ask your doctor about it.
8. Rabies
I have always wonder why Rabies is usually associated with summer. I guess the reason behind this is the same as the reason why Lice infection is rampant during summer. Kids tend to play more outside thus exposing them to more risk, such as animals with rabies.
Rabies is deadly and it can kill but the thing is, rabies infection can be prevented. Two vaccines is used to prevent rabies infection, one is before bites (ask your doctor about it) and the other one is after bite.
Rabies virus affects the nervous system and some cases of rabies infections leads to insanity and then death. My helper before, her mother died of rabies infection. It was really sad because it could have been prevented if they brought her to the hospital right after the incident.
What you need to do when you are bitten by animal (suspected to be infected with rabies)?
- wash the wound with soap and water thoroughly and let the water run for at least 10 minutes
- go to the nearest animal bite center or go to the nearest baranggay health center so that they can assist you
Do not take animal bites for granted, washing it and applying garlic (as some believes) will not prevent the virus from spreading and reaching your central nervous system.
9. Chicken Pox
Chicken Pox is common at the start of summer season and before it ends. I don’t why but some readings suggest that chicken pox virus thrives during season transition.
Chicken pox is transmitted when you inhale an infected droplets. Since chicken pox is a virus, it can be treated with medicine. The most important thing to do is to strengthen the immune system by drinking lots of water, taking a rest and eating the healthy food. Doctors usually prescribe ointment to ease the itchiness caused by the rashes.
10. Skin Diseases
Skin Diseases such as rash, irritated skin are commonly experienced during summer, specially to those who often swim on public pool. I can stress much how dirty a public is, so to avoid being infected, please be careful when swimming on public pools.
Summer, I believe, is a fun season. The health risks mentioned above are all preventable so please take the necessary precautions to have a fun filled summer!
