Essential Tips for Staying Healthy This Summer

Summertime is many people's favorite part of year. School is out, the days are long, the nights are warm, and people want to be outside spending time together. With COVID-19 restrictions loosening up, the prospect of people spending time outdoors together is very likely. It’s important to remember that although the battle against COVID-19 appears to be waning (at least in the U.S.), we still need to take the necessary precautions to protect ourselves. Read below to learn about a couple of simple summer health tips you can use to keep your days joyful and safe.

Avoid Heat-Related Illnesses – Stay Hydrated

Children under four and adults over 65 are at increased risk for heat-related illnesses. However, even healthy people can develop heat-related illnesses if they’re doing something strenuous like running, yard work or hiking in hot weather. Sudden exposure to heat during an unexpected heat wave or travel to a hotter climate can lead to problems too. Being obese, sedentary, or having a history of heat stroke can also increase the risk of getting overheated.

To prevent heat-related illnesses, be sure to stay hydrated to help your body maintain a normal temperature. Your water needs will vary depending on your activity level and location, but, in general, it’s recommended that a total of 3-4 liters of water be consumed daily. Wearing light, loose clothes to allow your body to cool down helps too.

Cover up with Sunscreen

The sun's rays are what give summer its warmth, but those same rays can also result in sunburn, dehydration, and – even worse - skin cancers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S.

Be sure to apply sunscreen with at least SPF 15 fifteen minutes before going outside and reapply every 2 hours and after swimming. Other precautions you can take include wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes and seeking shade. Wearing protective clothing can also be helpful.

Protect Yourself from Bug Bites

Spending time outdoors can bring you in close contact with mosquitoes and ticks. Mosquitoes and ticks are hungry, and they like to bite people. Protect yourself from mosquito- and tickborne diseases like West Nile virus and Lyme disease by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and clothing treated with permethrin, a type of insect repellent. You should also use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents. EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Continue to Take Precautions

Health experts are still learning how vaccines will affect the spread of COVID-19. If a fully vaccinated individual is exposed, they still may be able to spread the virus to others, which can put unvaccinated people at risk for developing the disease. After you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you should continue taking precautions, including not visiting indoors, without a mask, with unvaccinated people who are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19; and wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, and practicing other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple households.

Learn More

At BASS Urgent Care, our team takes our patients’ health very seriously. Give us a call today at (925) 378-4245 to set up an appointment and let one of our amazing staff members help you!

‍