Winter is over, and the spring weather has brought green back to Macomb County. It’s time to get out and enjoy the summer and all it offers. Just as you’re trading parkas for shorts and t-shirts, you’re also trading colds and flu for summer ailments.
At Macomb Medical Clinic in Sterling Heights, Michigan, we want you to be ready to maximize your days in our all-too-short summer season. Here’s our advice on the prevention and treatment of common summer ailments, from bug bites to poison ivy.
One of the big appeals of summer is time in the sun. As good as it feels, ultraviolet (UV) light affects melanin in your skin, which is designed to absorb the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, preventing internal damage.
In excess, absorbed UV radiation can overwhelm the protective properties of melanin. You know an overdose of UV light better as sunburn.
UV exposure adds up with each sunburn you have, raising the risk of skin cancer over time. Protect yourself before heading outside with strategies like:
Peak sun hours are typically between 10 am and 4 pm, so add shade or stay indoors during these hours when you can.
Summer breezes feel good, though they may be robbing your body of more moisture than you realize. You’re losing moisture at a higher rate than in winter.
Drinking plenty of water throughout the summer helps you to avoid fatigue and dehydration. Make it a practice to sip water throughout the day to avoid a hydration deficit.
Mosquitoes, bees, wasps, hornets, and ticks are found almost everywhere. You can’t always protect yourself, but a few measures can go a long way toward sidestepping bug bites and stings.
Insect repellent with 20-30% DEET is a good start. Your UV protective clothing also limits bug exposure, while the hat keeps them from your hair. Head-to-toe protection is a wise idea.
Mosquito bites are usually a harmless, itchy distraction, but stinging insects like bees and wasps can be serious, particularly if you’re allergic to their venom. Severe reactions are a medical emergency, and mild reactions can be controlled with ice to reduce swelling and over-the-counter products to ease itching.
Tick bites can lead to Lyme disease, but prompt treatment limits the risk. Call us if you find an embedded tick for safe removal.
You can recognize poison ivy by its three-pointed leaves. Coming in contact with it causes an itchy rash for about 85% of the population. Treat the rash with over-the-counter medications formulated for poison ivy. Visit our clinic if the rash spreads or becomes infected.
A plant of less than two feet in height, usually found near water, stinging nettle causes an instant, stinging pain. The pain and itching usually last only minutes, but some people with allergies may need medical attention.
Don’t let these incidentals get in the way of your summer fun. When you need additional care, contact Macomb Medical Clinic at 586-315-2393 to make an appointment today.
