Summer first aid: Treatment at home for the season’s most common issues
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant≠
Cuts, rashes, bites, oh my!
Summertime — pleasant as it is — can bring a host of seasonal injuries as we’re outside and engaging in seasonal activities. Area experts shared their best tips for summertime first aid.
Whether it’s falling off a bike or stepping on something sharp while barefoot, cuts and scrapes are routine part of a family life.
Karolina Micalos, family nurse practitioner and lead in the urgent care service line at Rochester Regional Health, said to avoid the traditional approaches of hydrogen peroxide, iodine or rubbing alcohol on wounds as “these can damage healthy tissue and delay healing,” she said.
Instead, rinse off any debris in the wound with clean water, clean the surrounding area with mild soap and apply antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin. Cover the wound with a bandage or dressing.
Use a clean red washcloth to clean around the wound to avoid alarming children with the appearance of a blood-soaked cloth.
Micalos advised seeking medical attention for “deep, large wounds or uncontrolled bleeding.” These may require further care.
We all know “leaves of three, let them be” as a guide to stay away from poison ivy. However, Micalos said that the oil of the noxious plant can stay active on surfaces for a year or longer and that it can spread through contact such as touching the face with the hands. Wear gardening gloves and if exposed, “wash affected areas of skin as soon as possible,” Micalos said. “This may decrease the severity of the reaction. Use plenty of water and dish soap to help remove the oil from skin.”
Most of the time, poison ivy rash resolves on its own within two to three weeks. Calamine lotion, menthol-containing anti-itch lotion, hydrocortisone cream and colloidal oatmeal baths can offer relief. If it’s widespread or involving the face, seek medical attention.
“Antihistamines are not effective for itching caused by poison ivy dermatitis, as it is not a histamine-mediated reaction,” Micalos said. “However, sedating antihistamines such as Benadryl may help with sleep.”
You should apply sunscreen of SPF 30-plus every two hours and after getting out of the water. But if you get sunburnt, Micalos recommends cool compresses (never directly on the skin), aloe vera lotion or gel cooled in the refrigerator, ibuprofen or acetaminophen, drinking plenty of water and otherwise leaving the area alone.
“Do not pick or pop blisters,” she said. “If a blister opens on its own, cover the area. You may apply over-the-counter antibiotic ointment.”
Stings and bites can make a summer outing miserable. However, proper first aid can bring relief. Micalos advised removing the stinger if possible and keeping the area clean and dry to avoid secondary infection.
“Early redness, swelling and warmth are common and due to histamine release, rather than infection,” she said. “Symptoms may worsen over two to three days before improving. Oral steroids are not typically indicated for routine local reactions. Seek care for large local reactions, especially involving the face.”
Of course, anyone experiencing a systemic reaction such as breathing problems and facial or airway swelling should seek emergency medical care.
“The old wives’ tales for bites and stings are fine if they’re basic things like baking soda pastes,” said physician Emily DiCesare, from the emergency department at Highland Hospital.
She added that over-the-counter antihistamines like non-drowsy Zertec and topical creams like Benadryl may help. Anyone with a known allergy should still visit the emergency department after use of an EpiPen.
In addition to sunburn, too much time in the sun can result in sunstroke. Providing the person is breathing and coherent, they should not need emergency care. DiCesare advised moving the person to a cooler area and offering fluids.
“Place cool towels or covered ice packs where blood vessels are close to the surface like groin, armpits and neck,” she added. “Mist the person with cool water and put them in front of a fan.”
Any major trauma like broken bones, motorized vehicle accidents should be seen immediately. Waiting a long time can worsen problems.
“People shouldn’t hesitate to call the primary care provider, even after hours,” DiCesare said. “They can help triage over the phone as to whether you should be seen tomorrow, urgent care or the ER.”
Keep a few first aid items packed in the car, including bandages, antibiotic ointment, tick removal kit, instant ice pack, saline and gauze.
Wound Remedies
No to hydrogen peroxide, iodine or rubbing alcohol
Yes to cleaning the surrounding area with mild soap and apply antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin