Clever out there
Summer brings along great leisure options, but alongside them, many dangers may arise. Every year, the medical center admits patients who were hospitalized after being stung by scorpions.
Dr. Todd Zlot, head of the Emergency Medicine Unit (Triage) at Shaare Zedek, explains and warns:
Scorpions are divided into two types, black and yellow. Stings from both types can trigger an allergic reaction. A sting from a black scorpion may be more painful, but a sting from a yellow scorpion is poisonous and can cause swelling, blurred vision, involuntary eye movements, seizures, saliva secretion, nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulties, and restlessness. In such a situation, we calm the patient with pain-relief medications and muscle relaxants. One possible treatment is administering antivenom. This treatment is only given in extreme cases, as the medication itself can lead to complications. In the case of a scorpion sting of any type, it is essential to seek medical treatment quickly.
During nature trips, one can be exposed to mosquito bites, sandfly bites, or tick bites, which can transmit disease-causing agents.
Inside the house, you can defend yourself against mosquitoes by installing screens on the doors, using mosquito repellents, and wearing long clothing whenever possible. Even during outings, it is advisable to wear lightweight but long clothing to protect against insect bites.
Food and Drink:
Our food is not sterile. If food is properly preserved under cool conditions, it's usually not a problem. However, during the summer heat, food and beverages that are not refrigerated can become a breeding ground for bacteria that may cause gastrointestinal diseases, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. The solution is to be careful to consume food that is properly preserved under cool conditions and from a known and supervised source.
Summer Camps:
In crowded conditions and hot weather, sometimes combined with inadequate sanitary facilities, gastrointestinal diseases such as dysentery (Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter) can break out. These diseases are characterized by bloody or watery diarrhea and high fever. Additionally, high ambient temperatures can increase the risk of dehydration.
The solution is to practice good hygiene, such as handwashing after using the restroom and before eating and drinking. It is recommended to equip children with hand sanitizer, which is usually alcohol-based and allows for frequent hand sanitizing even without running water and soap. If a child falls ill, it is crucial to ensure they drink plenty of fluids. The best way to determine if a child is dehydrated is by monitoring their urination. If the child is passing a regular amount of light-colored urine, they are likely not dehydrated. However, if there is a decrease in urination or the urine is dark-colored, it's possible that the child is dehydrated, and immediate medical attention should be sought. If the child is vomiting, they can be given small amounts of fluid at a high frequency (e.g., 10 ml every ten minutes). Often, the child may not be able to retain small amounts, and in such cases, the volume of fluid can be gradually increased.
Seawater and Pool Infections:
In a properly maintained swimming pool, there should be a sufficient concentration of chlorine to prevent the transmission of waterborne diseases. However, it is essential to ensure the cleanliness and maintenance of the pool to prevent gastrointestinal and skin infections that can be transmitted from person to person in crowded places. It is crucial to visit organized and supervised beaches. In unregulated beaches, there may be sewage flow into the sea, and there may be risks on the shore, such as exposure to discarded medical needles used by drug users.
* The presence of a responsible adult significantly reduces the risk of dangerous incidents near the fire.
* When lighting a bonfire, it is advisable to organize during daylight hours to locate and avoid using boards with metals and nails that could cause injuries before and during the bonfire.
* The structure of the bonfire - positioning the logs at a height may cause the fire to spread outside the bonfire area.
* When organizing around the fire or bonfire, choose a clear area free of thorns and weeds and at a reasonable distance from buildings.
* Wear high boots and protect your feet from insect bites that are attracted to the heat of the fire.
* Keep flammable materials away from the bonfire and make sure to have firefighting equipment nearby.
* Do not throw various items into the bonfire, such as cans, food cans, and flammable bottles; they can explode.
* In case of a burn, wash the burn area under cold water for several minutes, cover the burn area with a clean cloth, and seek medical attention as soon as possible in cases of burns on the face, limbs, genitals, and electrical burns.
* After finishing activities around the bonfire or barbecue, extinguish it using sand or water and make sure the fire is indeed out before leaving the area.
• When working in the garden, it is recommended to wear specialized gloves, and you should keep closed shoes when going to yards or areas with abundant vegetation, especially at night.
• When going on outdoor trips (camping), make sure to shake your shoes before wearing them and avoid sleeping directly on the ground.
The first aid given in the field in cases of scorpion stings, when there is no medical professional around, includes:
- Placing the affected person in complete rest.
- Calming them down.
- Immobilizing the affected limb.
- Quickly evacuating to the nearest hospital.
- You can cool the sting area with an ice pack. Cooling helps alleviate the pain and slows down the spread of venom.
These principles can be applied by anyone, and no medical skills are required.