Many people take advantage of the summer season to lie out in the sun and get a nice, natural tan. Too much exposure to the sun, however, can make your skin red, painful, and irritated - a skin condition known as sunburn.
According to the National Cancer Institute, there are 33,3000 sunburn cases yearly that require a trip to the emergency room.
Sunburned skin is considered a first degree burn, affecting the epidermis, or the outermost layer of the skin. In severe cases blisters and swelling may also develop. Sunburn develops differently depending on your skin type, the intensity of the sun, and the length of sun exposure. People with white skin have less melanin, so they tend to get burnt skin faster.
Heat exhaustion occurs when you do strenuous physical activities under the heat of the sun. A person suffering from heat exhaustion may feel faint and fatigued. Cool, clammy skin, profuse sweating, headache, rapid pulse rate, nausea, and muscle cramps also occur.
The body has a way of maintaining core temperature. However, under hot weather and extreme physical activity, your body may fail to cool itself efficiently. If not treated promptly, it can lead to a life-threatening heat-related syndrome known as heat stroke. In fact, according to the National Safety Council, 87 people died because of excessive exposure to heat in 2017.
Aside from sunburn and heat exhaustion, the sun also gives off harmful ultraviolet light that can harm not only the appearance of your skin, but also its DNA. This puts you at risk of having skin cancer.
Our doctors in Urgent Care of the Palm Beaches Walk-in Clinic in Forest Hill have outlined the following tips that will help you stay protected this summer:
The sun is strongest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If possible, during those hours avoid doing strenuous activities outdoors. If your shadow appears shorter, stay out of the sun.
During hot weather, you lose too much water through sweating. Rehydrate with non-alcoholic beverages to prevent sunburn and dehydration.
Wear protective clothing when you have to stay outdoors to prevent sunburn. Your clothes should allow heat from your body to evaporate as well prevent heat exhaustion. Wear sunglasses, pants, and long-sleeved shirt whenever possible.
You can use an umbrella, or a wide-brimmed hat. If possible, do your errands before 10 a.m. or after 2 p.m.
Apply a generous amount of sunscreen with a minimum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 to your exposed skin. Reapply every two hours and after swimming, or sweating for maximum protection.
Urgent Care of the Palm Beaches Walk-in clinic in Lake Worth offers a state of the art facility and specializes in providing high quality medical care to our patients and their families in a prompt and professional manner.
If you are suffering from sunburn, or heat exhaustion, don’t hesitate to drop by our clinic. We will be more than happy to help restore your good health. For inquiries, contact us.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
Though quite common - and in some cases quite serious - marine envenomations had not gained much attention until recently when cases have become reported more frequenty, especially on social media.
If you suspect marine envenomation, go to urgent care in Palm Springs clinic immediately to get the medical intervention you need.
Here are some ways to prevent marine envenomation so that you can still enjoy the beach in the summer.
You must observe a respectful distance when you're surrounded by marine life. Remember, marine animals don't typically "attack" unless they are touched or feel threatened. So, avoid touching marine creatures even if their pretty colors look tempting. Never attempt to feed marine creatures.
Ask the locals if there are jellyfish, or stingrays in the water. If there are, also ask where these creatures usually stay so that you can avoid swimming in their direction.
If you’re aware beforehand that there may be stinging sea creatures around, read up on safety rules and guidelines of the beach. Some areas might disallow swimming in certain sections, or close the beach for the day if the presence of marine life might be too risky for the beach-going public.
There are protective water shoes you can wear when you're swimming, or wading in the water. However, you must be aware that this type of footwear has a thin sole and might not protect you from marine animals with spikes, such as a stonefish. So, you still need to be careful when you take your steps underwater. Be sure not to step on marine when possible.
Never assume that there are no marine creatures in the sand, so always put your hands and feet where you can see them, even when you are just beachcombing. While it might be fun to play in the sand, it's still home to some sea animals. Therefore, reconsider this activity as you could be disturbing the peace and they can try to sting, or attack you.
People don't tend to bring first aid kits to the beach because there must be lifeguards everywhere for emergencies. However, you should still be prepared. A good first aid kit should include the following, according to the International Medical Training:
According to the American Family Physician, marine envenomation may be fatal in some beaches in the United States, or the Caribbean, but the biggest concern is actually the painful sting that comes with the bites.
Sometimes, the pain, accompanied with some swelling and redness, could last for three days and could temporarily limit a person's movement. If you have sustained an injury from marine life, seek medical help from urgent care in Palm Springs immediately. For inquiries, Contact Us.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
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