(HealthDay is the new name for HealthScoutNews.)
SATURDAY, July 12, 2003 (HealthDayNews) -- Summer demands special skills, such as how to whip up the perfect frozen margarita or grill that burger to pink perfection.
But it's vital to have a thorough grounding in basic first aid -- and a good first-aid kit.
That way, when nature bites, you'll have the last laugh.
Some of the most common first-aid challenges come courtesy of the insect world. And the best way to deal with bug bites is to avoid getting them in the first place, says Dr. Kathleen Clem, spokeswoman for the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).
Clem says you should skip going outside at dusk and dawn, which are peak hours for insects such as mosquitoes. Besides being annoying, mosquitoes can transmit potentially fatal diseases such as West Nile virus and certain forms of encephalitis.
Also steer clear of scented soaps, perfumes, sprays and other toiletries, since those sweet smells can draw bugs to your skin.
Instead, use an insect repellent, especially when you'll be near places where bugs gather. The best repellents include the active ingredient DEET, Clem says. For babies younger than 6 months old, be sure to use repellents that include 10 percent DEET or less.
If you're stung by a bee, wasp or yellow jacket, the first thing to do is watch for an allergic reaction. Symptoms can include hives, itching or rash away from the bite area; swollen lips or eyelids; swelling of the throat; labored or noisy breathing; and decreased consciousness, according to the ACEP.
"If that happens, you need to get medical help right away," Clem says.
If the reaction isn't severe, the next step is to remove the stinger if it's still in your skin. Clem recommends scraping at the bite site or flicking it with a credit card to pop out the stinger, rather than tackling it with tweezers.
"You don't want to squeeze the stinger or you'll put more venom in the wound," Clem says.
After the stinger's out, wash the wound with soap and water and then use a cold compress or ice to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
If you know you're allergic to stings, consider wearing a medical bracelet that says so. And bring an adrenaline auto-injector along to help keep you well while you go for help, Clem says.
You should save the tweezers for tick bites. And don't believe the old home remedies that say you should burn a tick off with a cigarette or cover it in Vaseline.
"The tick will become irritated by that and put more germ-carrying saliva into you," Clem says.
Instead, use tweezers to grab the tick around the mouth parts and pull gently so the tick will release its hold on you, she says. Check yourself often for ticks -- if one has bitten you and you remove it within 24 hours, your chances of getting something such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever decrease significantly.
Cuts and scrapes are easily dealt with using old reliables. "Good old tap water and soap is fine for cleaning out the wound," Clem says, and after that you should apply a fresh bandage to it.
Antibacterial ointments are fine and will help protect the wound, but they aren't absolutely necessary. "The most important thing is that you clean and protect the wound," Clem says.
Summer also includes grilling and other fire-related activities, which can mean burns. The ACEP recommends running cool -- not cold -- water over minor burns or holding a clean, cold compress on the skin until the pain subsides. Butter or other types of grease won't help, nor will ice.
Sunburns -- and the risk of skin cancer -- are another summertime hazard. Clem recommends wearing a sunblock with a sun protection factor of 15 or more whenever outside to keep the sun from damaging your skin.
You also should get a good pair of sunglasses to prevent eye damage caused by the summer sun's bright rays, says Betsy van Die, media relations director of Prevent Blindness America.
"They don't have to cost a fortune, but the important thing is that they are marked to block UV rays," van Die says.
Sunburned corneas, cancer of the eyelid and increased risk of eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration are among the UV-related dangers, she says.
As for a well-stocked first aid kit:
When traveling or at home, your kit should contain these essentials: aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen; insect repellent; sunscreen; ointments for insect bites and sunburn; adhesive bandages in various sizes, adhesive tape and gauze pads; antihistamine or allergy medication; anti-diarrheal medicine; cough medicine and/or throat lozenges; tweezers; and antiseptic soap.
But the most important part of any kit is a first aid manual, to cover everything about how to respond to medical emergencies both at home and outdoors.
More information
For more on first aid and emergencies, visit the National Library of Medicine or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
