Summer is right around the corner, which means more activity outside, time with friends and family, and even a break from school and maybe work.

As families look forward to swimming, barbecues, and vacation, they also face countless opportunities for injury, illness, and accidents.

Here are three ways to stay safe this summer and how urgent care can help!

Protect your Skin with Sunscreen

Severe sunburns are common in urgent care centers in the summer.

If you live in California, you’re likely no stranger to spending time in the sun and applying sunscreen throughout the day but doing so is critical in the summer months. Time at the beach, pool, or gathering outside makes it all too easy to get burned.

Most people won’t need medical care for a sunburn. However, seek medical care immediately if you or a loved one develop alarming symptoms like large blisters infected with pus or streaks, a fever, vomiting, or dizziness.

Your local urgent care offers treatment for severe sunburns, including medicine for pain management, treatment of infections, and IVs to alleviate dehydration.

To prevent sunburn of any severity, apply sunscreen with at least SPF 15 every two hours, even if it’s overcast. You should also wear a hat and sunglasses for added protection. Finally, stay in the shade, especially between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm when UV rays are strongest.

Stay Hydrated to Prevent Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion happens when your body overheats due to a loss of water and salt, usually caused by excessive sweating. Other symptoms can include rapid pulse, dizziness, and overall weakness.

If untreated, heat exhaustion can progress into heatstroke, a more serious illness in which you cannot control your body temperature. Heatstroke can cause permanent disability or death if not treated immediately.

Thankfully, heat exhaustion is entirely preventable with some of these tips:

• Drink plenty of fluids, and always have extra on hand if you’re hiking, camping, or planning to be outside most of the day.
• If possible, avoid alcoholic drinks, as they will dehydrate you.
• Drink beverages with added electrolytes that can replace minerals and the salt you lose in sweat.
• Exercise extra care with anyone who is elderly, obese, or has high blood pressure, as these can be risk factors.

Prevent Sports Injuries

Summer also brings an increase in sports and activity-related injuries. Whether you’re training for a race, playing on a softball team, or simply enjoying the outdoors more, injuries are always a possibility.

The most common summer injuries include sprains, fractures, and concussions. These injuries are often caused by inadequate stretching, not wearing proper protective gear like a helmet or overtraining.

Although these injuries are common in the summer, seek medical help if you experience constant pain, a significant bump, or any physical deformity on your body or head.

Your local urgent care can assess injuries with an X-ray and provide casting and dislocation re-setting.

For head injuries, seek urgent care if you have any confusion, loss of consciousness, vomiting, or excessive sleepiness. Urgent care centers can assess, treat, or refer out for severe concussions.

How We Can Help

If you’re experiencing any of the above illnesses or conditions, visit Lincoln Urgent Care or Granite Bay Urgent Care for testing, diagnosing, and treatment options. You can also book a telemedicine appointment or call either facility for an appointment:

Lincoln Urgent Care (916) 258-2751
Granite Bay Urgent Care (916) 570-7265