For many people, the summer is a time for fun. It’s a time for getting outside and enjoying nature. It’s a time to go on exciting adventures, or even just spend some more time in the garden. Yet sadly, summer isn’t positive for everyone; some suffer from a variety of summer illnesses, and this time of the year makes them feel seriously unwell. 

The good news is that there are some easy ways to manage the most common summer illnesses, and once you know what they are, you can start to like the summer a lot more. Read on to see what we mean. 

Asthma 

Summer can be a hazardous season for asthmatic children and adults. More smog and air pollution, higher pollen levels, and greater mold development as a result of excessive humidity all contribute to an increase in asthma attacks, which are not only unpleasant and mean missing out on summer activities but can also be fatal. 

If you are prone to asthma attacks, always make sure you take your daily controller medicines and ensure you order more from Oxford Online Pharmacy before you run out altogether. You should also be keeping an eye on pollen and air pollution levels throughout the summer, which can be done through various apps and websites. If you know the pollution is particularly high, perhaps that’s a day to stay inside.  

Swimmer’s Ear 

Swimmer’s ear can also be called otitis externa, and it’s a painful and irritating bacterial infection in the ear. It happens when any water in the ear canal doesn’t drain away and starts to breed bacteria. Swimmer’s ear can affect anybody, although it is most common in children. 

If you or your child want to avoid swimmer’s ear, dry your ears completely after swimming or bathing to prevent water from becoming trapped in the ear canal. Use a towel to do this, and tilt your head so that one of your ears is facing down to enable water to exit the ear canal. Then, gently tug your earlobe in different directions to help the water drain. If the moisture is still trapped, you can use a hairdryer to remove it. Hold the dryer several inches away from your head and use it on the lowest heat setting.

Food Poisoning 

There’s nothing quite like setting up the barbecue or making a picnic and eating outside when the weather is good. This can be a lot of fun, and it’s a great change of pace. However, there are problems associated with this al fresco way of dining, and the biggest of all is food poisoning. 

It’s not always easy to cook food thoroughly on a barbecue, and this can lead to undercooked food, which can be dangerous, particularly when it comes to chicken. Not only that, but when food is left outside in the sun – as can be the case in a picnic – it can start to breed bacteria, which is another way to get food poisoning. Ideally, you’ll keep all food refrigerated before using it, and you’ll check how long everything needs to cook if you’re using a barbecue. 

Most individuals with food poisoning heal at home and do not need any special treatment, but there are certain circumstances in which you should see your doctor. Rest and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration until you feel better. Even if you can just sip it, try to drink as much as possible. Eat whenever you feel like it, but start with light meals and bland things like bread, crackers, bananas, and rice until you feel better.

Oral rehydration solutions (ORS), which are available in pharmacies, are suggested for more susceptible individuals, such as the elderly and those suffering from another medical condition that weakens their immune systems. 

Sunstroke 

Heat exhaustion is generally not a severe problem if you can cool down within 30 minutes. If it progresses to heatstroke, it must be handled as an emergency. Heat exhaustion symptoms include: 

• Migraine 
• Dizziness and confusion 
• Lack of appetite 
• Sweating excessively and pallid, clammy skin 
• Aches and pains in the arms, legs, and stomach 
• Rapid breathing or pulse rate 
• A high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher 
• Being very thirsty

Someone who is exhibiting symptoms of heat exhaustion should be cooled down. To do this, you need to move them to a cooler place, out of the sun. Then get them to lay down and gently elevate their feet. During this time, make sure they drink lots of water and cool their skin by spraying or sponging it with cool water. Stay with them until they improve. Within 30 minutes, they should begin to cool off and feel better. If they don’t, it’s wise to call an ambulance to be safe.

Check out our other related posts:

• Take care of the whole family’s health with these tips
• How to properly store food in the kitchen