Summer is renowned for its scorching days and various activities, such as cookouts and swimming. It is important for parents to play a vital role in ensuring the safety of their children by teaching them ways to avoid injuries and providing adequate supervision. Summer is also a time when the risk of children getting injured is heightened. With the break from school, kids have more time for engaging in fun activities like sports and swimming. Lisa Petty, a family nurse practitioner at Mary Washington Urgent Care in King George County, offers valuable insights and tips on how to keep kids safe during this summer.
Q: What are some of the most common injuries you see kids coming in for in the summer months?
In addition to insect bites, we are observing a significant number of children presenting with dermatitis triggered by poison ivy this year. However, this year we are witnessing a substantial occurrence of various ailments, and naturally, injuries such as cuts, abrasions, and fractures are frequent. Lisa Petty: We encounter a wide range of ailments.
Q: With bug bites and poison ivy, what are some signs that a parent may need to seek medical attention for their child, versus just treating the reaction at home?
It’s important to remember that if you notice these symptoms after a tick bite, we definitely want you to come see us so we can start you on an antibiotic. These symptoms can correlate with Lyme disease, so it’s important to seek help. Remember, all of these symptoms are signs that you might have an infection, so if your child has body aches, fatigue, chills, fever, or any signs of increased redness, weeping, or warmth at the site of a bump or bite, you should definitely be looking for any signs of infection.
Q: That’s a good point. The Virginia Department of Health reports that Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in Virginia. If a parent finds a tick on their child, what should they do?
The harmful substances are situated in the head area because, in order to completely extract the tick from the skin, it is most effective to use tweezers to grasp it as near to the skin as feasible. It is advisable for both you and your children to inspect yourselves promptly upon returning indoors as the likelihood of contracting Lyme disease rises as the duration of tick attachment increases. It is crucial to remove the tick without delay, Lisa Petty.
If you have any experience with medical care, it is important to seek medical attention after a tick bite. Other possible symptoms of Lyme disease infection include a low-grade fever, stiffness in the neck, muscle soreness, and fatigue. A common sign of Lyme disease is a circular “bullseye” rash that expands beyond two inches in diameter, with a clear center. Once you have been bitten by a tick, it is important to watch out for increased redness around the site of the bite.
Q: What are some useful things to stash in a bag or kit to keep in the car for summer adventures on the go?
Lisa Petty: It truly differs depending on the activities you intend to participate in. However, some good essentials would include:.
Q: What should parents keep in mind when it comes to sun exposure?
A water-resistant sunblock should be utilized, and ensure to apply more frequently if you’re in the water. Sunblock should be applied multiple times a day. Any sunblock is superior to no sunblock. Zinc oxide is a crucial component to search for, as it is a non-chemical ingredient that is highly effective at obstructing harmful ultraviolet rays. Research has demonstrated that SPF numbers above 50 truly do not make a quantifiable distinction, and guardians should seek sunblocks with a sun protective factor (SPF) of at least 30. Sunblock, in addition to seeking shelter and wearing sun-protective garments, are all imperative sun-protection instruments.
It is important for all of us to remember that we need a boost of vitamin D production each day from sun exposure, while also protecting children’s skin from UV damage. It is important to combat childhood obesity, which has increased as children have adopted more sedentary lifestyles, by encouraging them to be active outside.
Q: For many kids, being active outside in the summer means hanging out at a pool or beach. What should parents remember about water safety with kids?
It is helpful to shift the 15-minute take to maintain focus on children so that the person watching them can stay attentive. In this situation, parents should always make sure that at least one adult is actively watching and counting all the kids and actively watching the pool. Pool challenges can arise when there are big groups of kids, so it is important that children never swim alone. The most important advice is from Lisa Petty.
It is important to teach your children how to be aware of the tide rip or undertow when swimming at the beach, as they can quickly pull you out to sea. Many childhood drownings occur due to the currents in the ocean. Kids should always wear protective footwear and a life jacket. Make sure your children are aware of the different depths in pool areas and always supervise them when swimming in a pool. One of the best things you can do is to enroll your child in swimming lessons, which are available at many schools and public pools in our area, as well as at YMCA facilities.
For more information, let us know if you are visiting Urgent.Mwhc.Com. Urgent Care can provide healthcare services for older patients with non-life-threatening conditions. Care Urgent offers quick, convenient, and comfortable care in King George County and Stafford South, without the need for an appointment. The team at Care Urgent in Mary Washington is here for you this summer.