The Hazards of Summer

Summer is a time for vacations, camps, swimming, sports, and outdoor family time. Here are some suggestions to help keep a child’s summer healthy and safe without spoiling their fun.

Swimmers’ Ear
Summer means swimming, and that sometimes means "swimmers’ ear, " an annoying ailment that causes a child’s ear canal to become swollen and painful, especially when touched. When the infection gets to this stage, the youngster needs to see their physician for treatment.

Swimmers’ ear starts when water gets into the ear and brings bacterial or fungal particles with it. If water remains trapped in the ear, the skin lining the canal becomes soggy and then infected. Swimmers’ ear can often times be prevented by making up ear drops to use in a child’s ear after swimming. Make up a solution using half rubbing alcohol (which absorbs the water and helps dry out the ear), and half vinegar (which contains acetic acid that kills the bacterial and fungus responsible for the infection). Place a few drops in each ear after swimming, but never use this solution when a child’s ear is painful or if the child has tubes in his/her ears.

A child does not have to be a swimmer to get a case of swimmer's ear. Showering, frequent hair washing, or any activity that allows water or moisture to enter the youngster’s ear can cause the problem.

Gardening Hazards
Lawn mowers are not toys. Children should be kept off, and away from, all lawn mowers. Smaller power equipment, such as clippers and weed trimmers, have sharp blades that can cut youngsters even when not in use. Never leave any power equipment unattended and keep gasoline and other hazardous materials out of a child’s reach.

Pets or Animals
Teach your child to leave unfamiliar pets alone. Any pet can turn hostile if a child disturbs them, especially while the pet is eating or sleeping. An animal bite or scratch should be washed with an antibacterial soap and the child’s tetanus immunization record checked. If the pet’s owner can be found, find out whether the animal has been properly immunized. Call the local police if the owner is uncooperative or the animal is a stray. Because of our recent rabies alert, bites by wild animals (squirrel, etc.) should always be reported to the health department.

Water Safety
Teach your child to be water safe. We are a state surrounded by water and drowning is Florida's number one cause of accidental death for children under the age of 5. Seventy-five percent of these drowning victims are youngsters between the ages 1 and 3 - and 80 percent of drowning victims who died were being watched but momentarily left alone. Adults should never, never, never take their eyes off children when they are in or near water.

Dehydration
We’ve all heard how important water is for the body, especially during the summer months. But often parents are unsure as to how much water their child should take in and what would be the best sources of liquid for them to take. Young children often become dehydrated before they even sense they are thirsty due to their higher body-surface area and underdeveloped thirst detector mechanisms. In summer, when children are outside doing more physical activity and exposed to hotter and even more humid conditions, it is important that parents make sure their little ones stay hydrated.

For children 2 years of age and older, they should drink six to eight glasses of water a day. However, children who participate in sports and play outdoors need more. In hot, dry weather, the water needs increase as well. One way to monitor your child's adequate hydration is to check the color of his/her urine. A child who is well-hydrated has light-yellow urine. A dark color indicates the urine has to be concentrated due to dehydration.

Tips to keep your child well hydrated:

• Keep cool water handy for children. Keep a pitcher of iced water and cups handy where children are playing, so they can help themselves. Lead by example — children really do WATCH what parents do! Equip your children with a water bottle when they head out for their activities.
• Encourage plenty of "wet foods." Certain foods have a high water content and can provide a great source of hydration during the summer. Oranges, watermelon, celery, lettuce, sherbet, juice pops, asparagus, grapefruit, grapes, cucumbers, are a good start.
• Limit sodas and sugary foods. Dilute juices with 1/2 water to help provide more water and less sugar calories.
• Encourage children to drink a glass of water with their meals and snacks. Especially encourage drinking a glass before embarking on a sports activity and every 15 to 20 minutes throughout that activity.

Jellyfish Stings
A jellyfish sting can bring a painful end to an otherwise pleasant day at the beach. To avoid being stung by jellyfish, sting rays and other sea creatures, always look for warning signs posted by lifeguards and avoid infested waters. If a child is stung, rub the area in sand. As soon as possible, apply hot compresses to prevent activation of the stinging cells. Sprinkling the injured area with vinegar also reduces the amount of venom injected into the skin.

Sea Bather's Eruption
Commonly known as "sea lice" (no relation to the head lice found in many young children), this condition has been known to Florida natives since the early 1900's. Little can be done to prevent "sea bather's eruption." Parents should listen to local beach reports and consult with lifeguards when available before swimming in the ocean. Barrier products like Vaseline, zinc oxide and "Skin So Soft" have been used with some success.There is also some evidence that use of a topical sun screen or suntan lotion may actually protect skin from penetration by the offending organism.

Treatment of this condition includes giving an antihistamine, such diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for the itching and the application of hydrocortisone cream to the rash areas. Bathing in a colloidal oatmeal preparation will also help. Since there are other causes of rashes similar to "sea bather's eruption," it is always best to consult with your child's doctor if you are not sure of the diagnosis.

Sprains
When dealing with sprains, treatment consists of remembering the word “RICE.” "R" is for rest. Do not allow the child to bear weight on the injured area. The child may even need to use crutches temporarily to keep weight off the sprained joint. "I" is for Ice. Placing ice cubes or crushed ice in a plastic bag on the sprain for 10 to 20 minutes each hour will help limit swelling. Continue applying ice for a couple of days until most of the swelling is gone. "C" is for compression. Wrap the sprained join with an elastic bandage firmly and evenly, but not too tightly. Remove the ace wrap for several hours. "E" is for elevation. After applying ice and wrapping the sprain, elevate it about the level of the heart. Have the youngster rest on a couch or bed with the injured joint supported by pillows.

Cuts and Scrapes
Cuts and scrapes are common in children due to their frequent slips and falls. Should a youngster get a minor wound, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. Then apply an antibiotic cream (such as Neosporin®) to help prevent infection. Should the cut become tender, red, swollen or begin to ooze, consult your child’s physician.

Sunburn
Children have very sensitive skin, and one blistering sunburn in a child or teenager doubles their risk for melanomas (skin cancer) later in life. When a child goes outside (even on overcast days), always apply a generous amount of a waterproof or sweat-resistant sunscreen. Use one with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater and cover all exposed areas (products designed for children are safe and can be used by infants and teenagers alike). Parents need to remember to reapply sunscreen every few hours, especially when swimming. The sun’s rays are most dangerous between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., so plan outdoor activities before or after those hours. Certain medications can make a child’s skin extra sensitive to sun exposure, so consult with your child’s physician or a pharmacist if the child is taking any medications. Should a child suffer a sunburn, ease the pain with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Cool compresses will also help and apply some aloe vera to take the sting out of the burn. Consult the child’s physician if the burn becomes infected. Remember, it is much easier and healthier to prevent sunburn than treat it.

While in the sun, you should also make sure your child’s eyes are protected from the ultra violet rays. Hats with a brim and sunglasses will help keep the rays out of your eyes.

Bugs
Where is the bug spray? Most summertime stings and bites are more irritating than dangerous. Serious reactions are fortunately rare, but if a child begins to have trouble breathing after a bite or sting, a trip to the nearest emergency department is in order.

Identifying flying insects