Indirect effects of summer

During the summer certain discomforts such as digestion cuts, gastroenteritis, fungal infections, eye infections or jellyfish stings are very common. Let's get to know them in our health.

Stomach flu

The risk of acute intensifies in the summer months due to high temperatures, which favor bacterial growth in certain foods, especially in hard-boiled eggs and sauces. For this reason, we must be extremely careful when consuming foods with eggs and pay attention to the water conditions. Likewise, fruits and vegetables should be washed well before consumption.

What to do in the event of a gastroenteritis?

• Follow an astringent diet.
• Dispense with antidiarrheals without a prescription.
• Increase your fluid intake to avoid dehydration.
• Do not eat solid foods for the first 4-6 hours (children) or 12 hours (adults). During this time, only low sodium oral serum (an envelope dissolved in 1 liter of still mineral water) or alkaline lemonade (to 1 liter of boiled water is added the juice of two or three lemons, half a teaspoon of bicarbonate, half a teaspoon of salt and two or three tablespoons of sugar), drinking small amounts, continuously, according to demand (without forcing). When the first phase has been controlled, the solid diet will be gradually introduced, always in small amounts to check tolerance to it: soups (rice, carrot or fish), mashed potatoes and carrots, egg (soft-boiled , hard or in an omelette), white fish or poultry, cooked or grilled, fruits (roasted apple, oxidized apple with a few drops of lemon, quince, ripe banana ...), toasted white bread. During the entire duration of the process, rehydration will be maintained with low sodium oral serum or alkaline lemonade.
• Drink clear infusions of tea or chamomile, sweetened with saccharin and toast.
• Eliminate milk and its derivatives throughout the process. Natural yogurt and fresh cheeses will be tolerated at best (after clear improvement).
• Avoid eating raw fruits and vegetables. And for a week you will not eat green vegetables: chard, spinach, lettuce, or almonds, compotes, walnuts or black bread.
• Do not eat sweets: candies, chocolates, pastries, sugar ...
• Drink very cold, refreshing drinks and, especially, mineral-medicinal sparkling water.

Jellyfish sting

Jellyfish are difficult to see because of their transparency. When feeling bothered, it releases stinging cells that contain poison inside and that, only with friction, produce mild effects, in general, although very annoying. Typically, we will feel immediate pain and burning, followed by swelling, redness, and bleeding at the site of the bite.

To avoid them we must be attentive to the information provided by the local authorities about the presence of jellyfish on the beaches (some have a specific flag, in addition to the traditional red, yellow and green ones).

What to do about a jellyfish sting?

• Clean the area affected by the sting with saline or salty water. Fresh water should never be used as it could break the stinging cells, causing another sting.
• Examine the bite and if there is any remaining tentacle attached to the skin, remove it with tweezers.
• Apply cold through a cloth for about 15 minutes. It should never be rubbed with towels, or with sand, or with anything that could hurt us more.
• Go to the first aid post, where they can administer an antihistamine and / or an analgesic if necessary, or transfer us to a medical center if the condition worsens.

Yeast infection

One of the indirect effects of summer are the las as it increases their proliferation due to humidity and heat. They multiply in those where there is friction between two skin surfaces, such as the toes, the groin or under the breasts.

The most typical of all is that, which is located on the toes. To avoid them, you have to take the utmost precaution in swimming pools, saunas, gyms and public areas where you are in direct contact with moisture. It is highly recommended to wear slippers in swimming pools and avoid going barefoot. During the rest of the day, you should wear breathable shoes or shoes made of natural materials and, of course, follow a daily personal hygiene, with special emphasis on the careful drying of the skin folds (English, armpits, toes, etc.).

Eye infection

Sea and pool water is irritant to the eyes and it can also be a transmission vehicle. The use of contact lenses both in the pool and on the beach reduces the risk of contracting infections of this type and increases the dryness of the eyes.

In fact, they are a necessary complement during the summer months. You should always wear quality sun protection glasses that filter harmful radiation. The wrong lenses can cause damage such as keratitis or, in the long term, cataracts.

Digestion cut

Another of the indirect effects of summer are the digestion cuts. To avoid them we must rest for about an hour and a half after meals, especially if the immersion is in cold waters.

Accidents in summer

In summer we move to unknown places, we practice more sports, we eat differently and, sometimes excessively, we frequently drink more alcohol… At the same time, we tend to be more relaxed. This combination of attitudes can lead to a decrease in alertness and lead to accidents.

To prevent accidents, we must exercise extreme caution and be vigilant even when carrying out an activity which, apparently, seems to have no risk whatsoever.

In conclusion, you have to be careful and take the appropriate precautions since otherwise summer can become our body's worst enemy and transform a few happy days of rest and enjoyment into torment.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• To avoid gastroenteritis we must be careful when consuming foods with eggs and pay attention to the water conditions.
• We must pay attention to the information provided by the local authorities about the presence of jellyfish (some have a specific flag).
• You must wear quality sun protection glasses that filter out harmful radiation, as inappropriate lenses can cause damage such as keratitis or, in the long term, cataracts.

MAPFRE Joint Prevention Service