Summer safety: Prevent heat stroke, sunburn and more

Key Takeaways

• Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Never leave children or pets in parked cars.
• Active supervision saves lives. Designate a "water watcher" who isn't on a phone or reading.
• Skip the fireworks. Even sparklers reach 1,800°F — hot enough to cause third-degree burns.
• Scrape, don’t squeeze. Remove bee stingers with a credit card to avoid spreading venom.
• The 36-hour tick rule. Seek medical care within 36 hours if you cannot remove a tick to help prevent Lyme disease.

Summer brings sunshine and family time, but it also increases the risk of heat stroke, sunburn and other injuries. Understanding how to prevent these dangers and knowing when to seek medical care can help to keep your family safe.

What Are the Most Common and Dangerous Heat-Related Illnesses?

Heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps are the most common health dangers from hot weather. While all of these conditions can be worrisome, heat stroke and heat exhaustion are the most serious and can be life-threatening. Heat is the deadliest weather hazard in the U.S., and dangerous overheating can happen even in the high 80s during hard play or exercise.

The five most common heat-related conditions include:

• Sunburn: Skin damage caused by exposure to harmful sun rays
• Heat rash: Red, itchy or irritated skin caused by blocked sweat ducts
• Heat cramps: Painful muscle spasms caused by mild overheating and salt loss
• Heat exhaustion: Moderate overheating that requires immediate rest and cooling
• Heat stroke: A life-threatening medical emergency where body temperature reaches dangerous levels (104°F or higher)

How Can I Prevent Heat Exhaustion and Overheating?

You can prevent overheating by drinking water, taking frequent cooling breaks and wearing appropriate summer clothing. Following these proactive steps will help your body regulate its temperature and reduce the risk of heat-related emergencies:

• Drink water early and often. Do not wait until you feel thirsty to hydrate.
• Take frequent breaks. Rest in the shade or air-conditioned spaces.
• Dress for the weather. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting and light-colored clothing.
• Never leave anyone in a parked car. Temperatures can rise 30 degrees in minutes.
• Dress babies lightly. Infants only need one more layer than what an adult is comfortable wearing.

How to Prevent and Treat Sunburn

• Protect skin from sunburn by putting on sunscreen every day and staying out of direct sunlight.
• Treat existing burns with cool compresses and hydration.
• To maximize protection, avoid the sun during peak hours — typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more often if you are swimming or sweating.

Home Care for Sunburn

• Cool the skin: Take a cool oatmeal bath or apply cool compresses.
• Moisturize: Use moisturizing lotions specifically for sunburn (like aloe vera).
• Avoid the sun: Stay indoors or in the shade until the burn heals.

When to Call a Doctor

• Blisters cover more than 20% of your body.
• You experience feelings of confusion, dizziness or nausea.
• Severe pain does not improve after 48 hours.

When to Seek Emergency Care

Seek medical help right away if you notice these warning signs:

• High fever: A body temperature of 103°F or higher
• Skin changes: Skin that is hot, red, dry or unusually damp
• Changes in awareness: Confusion, dizziness or loss of consciousness
• Physical distress: Severe headache, nausea, vomiting or muscle cramps

Water Safety and Drowning Prevention

Designate a sober, attentive adult to watch children at all times. Drowning is often silent and can happen in seconds.

• Assign a "water watcher": This person must put away phones, books and other distractions to focus entirely on the swimmers.
• Use life jackets: Use only Coast Guard-approved life jackets. Arm floaties and inflatable toys are not safety devices.
• Enroll in lessons: Swim lessons are recommended for children ages 1 and older, but they do not replace adult supervision.
• Check the environment: In lakes or rivers, watch for hidden rocks, wildlife and strong currents.

Fireworks Safety

Avoid the personal use of all fireworks. At least half of all fireworks injuries happen to bystanders.

• Sparklers are dangerous: The tips reach 1,800°F. Never allow children to hold them.
• Maintain distance: Stay at least six feet away from anyone lighting a device.
• Be prepared: Keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby.
• Emergency action: If clothing catches fire, stop, drop and roll.

Bug Bites, Stings and Ticks

Most bug bites are a nuisance, but some can spread diseases like West Nile virus or Lyme disease.

How to Treat Bee Stings

• Remove the stinger: Scrape it off quickly with a credit card or dull knife. Do not use tweezers or squeeze it, as this spreads more venom.
• Manage pain: Apply aloe vera, calamine lotion or ice.
• Allergy Alert: If you have a known allergy, keep your EpiPen on hand. Call 911 for throat swelling or trouble breathing.

How to Treat Mosquito Bites

• Prevention: Use EPA-registered insect repellents and wear long sleeves.
• Home care: Use a baking soda paste or calamine lotion. Avoid hot showers and rubbing, which make the itching worse.
• When to seek care: See a doctor if a warm, red rash spreads around the bite.

How to Remove a Tick

• Method: Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin. Pull straight up with steady, even pressure.
• 36-Hour Window: Visit urgent care within 36 hours if you cannot fully remove the tick. This allows for a preventive dose of medicine to help stop Lyme disease.

Minor Cuts and Sprains

How to Treat Cuts:

• Apply firm pressure: You must apply firm pressure until the bleeding stops completely.
• Clean the wound: Wash the area gently with mild soap and water.
• Treat and protect: Apply an antibacterial ointment and cover the wound with a clean bandage.

Sprains (The RICE Method):

1. Rest: Stay off the injured area to prevent further damage.
2. Ice: Apply a cold pack for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.
3. Compress: Wrap the injury with an elastic bandage to reduce swelling.
4. Elevate: Raise the injured area above the level of the heart.

Where Should I Go for Care?

• Primary Care: For non-emergencies where your doctor knows your history
• Urgent Care: For cuts needing stitches, sprains or ticks you cannot remove
  • Dearborn Station Urgent Care in the South Loop
  • Homewood Urgent Care in the South Suburbs
  • River East Urgent Care in Streeterville
• Virtual care: Urgent but non-life-threatening situations
• Emergency department: For life-threatening symptoms, confusion or high fevers (103°F+)

The Comer Children's Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department is the only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center on Chicago's southeast side.

As a reminder, be sure that you have access to a working phone. Keep your cell phone charged, just in case you witness an emergency or are involved in one. Stay calm, provide details and follow 911 operator instructions.

* Amit Joshi, MD, and Joseph Newberg, MD, are UChicago Medicine Medical Group providers. UChicago Medicine Medical Group comprises UCM Medical Group, Inc. f/k/a UCM Care Network Medical Group, Inc., and UCM Medical Group Sub, LLC f/k/a Primary Healthcare Associates, S.C. UChicago Medicine Medical Group providers are not employees or agents of the University of Chicago Medical Center, the University of Chicago, or UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial.