First Aid Fundamentals During Summer

Photo Credits: Stuart Miles of http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

Summer is here, and along with the happy days of sand, sea, softball and soft ice cream you may encounter cuts, scrapes, bee stings, tick bites and heat stroke. 

Don’t let summer time bumps, bruises and bites get in the way of your good times; be prepared to treat your family quickly and efficiently. 

Everyone should have some basic knowledge of summertime first aid, and even kids in overnight summer camps are taught how to deal with warm weather emergencies. Following are some summer first aid basics.

The All-Important First Aid Kit

Always have a well-stocked first aid kit on hand, whether in the car, your beach bag or on the boat. Standard items like Band-Aids, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, over-the-counter pain relievers, tweezers, cold packs and calamine lotion are some important essentials.

Bee Stings

As long as you’re not allergic to bee venom, a bee sting is painful if basically harmless. Push out the stinger as soon as possible using a blunt-edged object, being careful not to squeeze any venom back into the area. Clean the stung area with soap and water and apply a cold compress. Afterward, relieve any remaining discomfort with a bit of calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream. Hives or difficulty breathing may indicate an allergic reaction and you should seek immediate medical attention.

Tick Bites

With the increasingly common incidence of Lyme disease, parents have become more vigilant about tick bites. Although only the tiny deer tick is thought to carry the disease, any tick should be immediately removed. If possible, avoid tick problems by dressing kids in long-sleeved shirts and long pants when they’re playing in the woods or tall grasses. Hot days call for insect repellent, and you should have a tick check at bath time every night, remembering to examine the scalp as well. To remove a tick, grasp lightly with tweezers near the head and pull it off gently, trying not to leave the head in the wound. Clean the area and apply an antiseptic cream.

Poison Ivy

If you think you’re youngster’s been exposed to the notorious plant Poison Ivy and that it may be the cause of miserable summer rashes, wash all exposed areas with soap and water as quickly as possible. As an extra precaution, pop your child into a cool bath with baking soda or oatmeal to prevent spread of the plant’s rash-spreading oil, and be sure to wash all exposed clothing and sheets. Calamine can ease the itching, but call the doctor if the rash starts oozing or affected areas start swelling.

Jellyfish Stings

As the water gets warmer, jellyfish seem to multiply dramatically. If you have a run in with one these seaside stingers, soak the wound in vinegar water; this will help ease out the tentacles. Once tentacles are at the skin’s surface, gently scrape them off with a flat object like a credit card and rinse the affected area with salt water. If the jellyfish stingers are on the face or in the genital area, seek professional medical care.

Heat Stroke

Hot, sweaty, active kids don’t always remember to stay hydrated. Make sure your little one drinks lots of water and watch out for heat stroke symptoms like leg cramping, rapid pulse or hot, dry skin. In extreme heat stroke, sweating stops and the body can no longer cool itself off. A person affected with heat stroke can be cooled down by being immersed them in cool water, put cool wet cloth on the back of the neck and forehead while sipping on water, or  in a cool shower or wrapped in a damp, cool blanket.

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about Camp Walt Whitman. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. http://www.campwalt.com.