How to stay safe, healthy while outdoors

Question:How can my family stay healthy and safe during outdoor adventures?

Answer: Here are a few tips:

• First aid: Stock your home and car with basic first-aid items, as well as specific ones that may be needed on outings and day trips. These should be stored under dry and temperate conditions, avoiding prolonged exposure to heat or cold.
• Cuts, Scrapes and Bruises: Few wounds get infected if they’re washed out well. Use soap and water or a cleansing wipe. For acute injuries, use a cold pack for the first 48 hours to minimize swelling.
• Insect Stings and Bites: Repel mosquitoes and other biting insects with mosquito nets and over-the-counter insect repellant. To soothe mosquito bites, use calamine lotion. To treat bee stings, wash the sting area, remove the stinger and apply a cold pack or ice to reduce swelling. To reduce itching and block an allergic reaction, use an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine. For severe allergic reactions, use an EpiPen and seek medical attention.
• Poison Ivy: If you have a rash from poison ivy, first wash the area thoroughly with soap (you can use either regular soap or poison ivy-specific soap such as Tecnu) and water and then apply one-percent hydrocortisone cream to the affected area, which will relieve inflammation and irritation. Calamine lotion and cold packs may also be helpful.
• Sunburn: Limit direct exposure to the sun, especially during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. But if you find yourself with a burn anyway, the most important thing to do when suffering from sunburn is to replace the lost fluids by drinking plenty of water. Soothe the burn by taking a pain reliever such as acetaminophen.
• Motion Sickness: To prevent motion sickness while riding in a car, sit in the front seat and don’t read. In a boat or a plane, choose a seat in the middle where there is less rocking motion. If you are prone to motion sickness, take preventive medications such as dramamine (Dimenhydrinate) 30 minutes beforehand or Bonine (meclizine hydrochloride) one hour beforehand.

Dr. William Ellert is the Market Chief Medical Officer for the Abrazo Community Health Network. For more information about Abrazo Community Health Network, go to AbrazoHealth.com or call 602-674-1400.