Though the mood might be that everything is getting “back to normal,” it’s important to remember COVID is still with us. So another summer of mostly outdoor adventures is probably a good idea. And a way-fun idea at that!
Also important to remember -- definitely do not go back to the old normal of forgetting the sunscreen, bug spray, and … well let’s skip to the sunny chase and summarize these four safety tips for the great outdoors from Dr. Roshini Rajapaksa, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone in New York City, as told to Today.
Then let’s put 2020 way back in the rearview as we drive towards better days.
Learn to Spot Poisonous Trees and Plants
It’s easy to get caught up in all the awe-inspiring views when out hiking or camping, but make sure to look down right in front of you and become familiar with the appearance of poisonous plants like poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.
“They all have urushiol,” Rajapaksa says, “which is a type of oil that can cause a terrible rash.”
It’s that oil that causes the red, itchy bumps on your skin. And as an oil, it doesn’t just rub off quickly. The oil can spread to other skin if you touch it and rub another area. Crazier, if it gets on your clothes or shoes, it can remain there literally for years.
“You might have a sneaker, for example, that you put away in the closet and when you bring it out in the winter you can get that rash again. So you want to make sure if you’ve come in contact with any of these plants that you really wash your clothes carefully.”
And if you own a dog or cat, good luck explaining to them to watch out for urushiol. Pets can go running through the stuff and bring it home with them too. Animals don’t react to it, but if it’s on them and you touch them, you will.
Check around where you live and try to clear any plants that might have the offending oil. And be safe! Wear gloves, and don’t try to burn them. Breathing in smoke contaminated with these oils can injure your lungs.
If you do come in contact with urushiol and a rash develops, Rajapaksa suggests putting Calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream directly on the skin. Taking oral Benadryl can also quiet the itching, she said.
Watch Out for Heat Rash
Heat rash is, as Rajapaksa explains, “when your pores get clogged so you can’t perspire and release the heat. That can cause tiny little bumps that can be itchy.”
As with poison ivy, the best treatment is hydrocortisone ointment. And those little bumps aren’t just an annoyance, they’re a warning. The rash could be a sign that you are overheated and at risk for heat stroke. So Rajapaksa implores you to “get in a cool area because heat stroke is very serious.”
Be Brash About Bug Bites
When you’re having fun in the summer, you don’t often see those pesky little mosquitos or bees until it’s too late. There are numerous over-the-counter bug sprays, but many include chemicals hazardous to the environment. So try out some more natural-based remedies like lemon eucalyptus oil, cinnamon oil, those citronella candles, and others.
The most potentially dangerous bug bite though comes from the deer tick. The tick, which is the size of a pinhead, can transmit bacteria that can lead to Lyme disease.
Rajapaksa suggests checking yourself and your children every evening for ticks. Especially if you are playing around in heavily wooded areas.
Unlike a wasp that will sting and leave, a deer tick burrows into your skin and remains for days.
“The tick has to be on your skin for two to three days until it can actually transmit the disease,” says Rajapaksa “So you can prevent it if you can find that tick.” You literally have to pull it out, but it can be hard to find.
Even with careful inspections, it’s possible to miss them. So look for a bull’s eye rash -- a sure sign that you’ve been bitten and infected. If you see the rash, Rajapaksa warns, you need to go to a doctor and get antibiotics because “untreated it can lead to severe neurological issues.”
Mind Your Food!
We all love a good cookout or picnic. But there are basic rules you should be aware of while bringing food out into the hot summer day.
Raw meat should be kept away from other foods, and should be handled with separate utensils. Use a thermometer to check that the meat is thoroughly cooked. Those char lines are no guarantee.
Keep raw meats cold as long as possible. And definitely keep cold salads like potato or macaroni salad cold -- two hours outside at the longest, or one hour or less if it is over 90 degrees outside.
And keep those cold cans of brewski, Pepsi, or frozen pops in a separate cooler because people will be going in and out of it all day for those, reducing the temperature inside.
Finally, as far as backyard BBQs and such, don’t fret over leftovers. If some food was never taken out of the cooler, maybe you can revisit later. But in general, you should just toss what’s left after all the hungry funsters head home.
More Today summer safety tips can be found here. And here are some safety tips if you’re going to drive a little farther away than the pool party down the street -- road trips being another smart, Covid-waning summer fun idea.
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