Summer Safety!
Summer vacation is here for our children of Southwest Florida! Here with some tips to make your summer safe with your family is Dr. Annette St. Pierre-MacKoul.
Sunscreen:
SPF between 30 and 50
Apply a half hour before exposure
Typical adult uses 2 ounces each time
Re-apply often and after water exposure
Sticks are great for the face
Sweat-proof for exercising
>15 – 30 minutes of sun exposure
Avoid peak hours of 10 – 3
Many clothing brands have SPF
Insect repellent:
Use DEET containing product ‘for families or children’
Spray your clothes before getting dressed.
Spray exposed areas of skin
Separate from sunscreen application by 20 min.
Lightweight clothing
Dusk and Dawn Avoidance
Water Safety:
Supervision, supervision, supervision!
Cell phone and Hook / Safety ring
Fencing around pools
Alarms
Swimming Classes
Children can drown in inches of water!
First Aid for Sunburns:
Moisturize / Aloe while wet
NSAID’s to decrease inflammation
Cool down the skin – lukewarm bath / compresses
Hydrate
First Aid for Insect Bites:
2 reactions can occur – immediate and delayed.
Benadryl by mouth every 6 hours for 48 hours
+/- loratadine or cetirizine
Calamine lotion for the bites
Heat Safety:
Limit exposure with strenuous activity
Hydrate
Shaded areas
Try to have dry clothing