Thanks to Remedy Urgent Care for sharing free medical advice and a $20 discount with our readers! 

Five Easy Ways To Ruin An Austin Summer

Free medical advice from Remedy Urgent Care

Summer reminds us of why Austin is one of the best places in the world to live. The weather is hot, the natural scenery is beautiful and there are plenty of opportunities to get out there and have fun. However, while you may be less susceptible to flu and colds during the summer, there are still plenty of conditions that can put a cramp in your summer step.

Remedy Urgent Care delivers top-notch urgent care for the entire family at your convenience. Just book an appointment online or by phone, and we’ll have a licensed provider out to your house, office or pool within 90 minutes. Kids love Remedy and parents love our convenience and price! Our providers can treat every condition listed here (including taking x-rays), without you having to wait who-knows-how-long in a germ-infested waiting room.

To make Remedy even more convenient for Austinites, we’re offering a special coupon for Free Fun in Austin readers. Use the promo code “FREE20” at checkout to get $20 off your first visit.

To avoid having to call us this summer, be aware of these five seasonal health issues that are sure to ruin to ruin your summer fun.

Sprains and Fractures

Sprains and fractures (aka broken bones) are more likely when we’re more active – like during the summer months. Intense pain and extreme localized swelling are the telltale signs that you or your child has a sprain or fracture. Sometimes, a bad sprain can seem like a fracture, but you’ll need an x-ray to be totally sure.

If you do have a fracture, a splint can keep everything in place until the swelling subsides and a cast can be put on if needed.

Sprain and Fracture First Aid

• Keep ice on the affected area.
• Keep the affected area elevated.
• Receive a proper diagnosis from a medical professional.

Insect Bites

The abundance of bugs during the summer is no surprise to long-time Austinites. Rainy springs and long summer days are the perfect recipe for regular mosquito swarms. Not only are mosquitoes annoying, they can also carry diseases like Zika or West Nile. Keep yourself and your children safe from mosquitoes with these tips.

Keeping Mosquitoes Away

• Wear clothing that covers as much of your body as possible – especially at dusk.
• Wear an insect repellant with at least 20% DEET. Remedy recommends Sawyer’s Controlled Release Family Insect Repellant in lotion form.
• Don’t allow standing water near your home. Mosquitoes breed in still pools.

Insect Bite First Aid

• Clean with soap and water.
• Apply a cold compress or ice pack.
• Use calamine lotion or anti-itch cream.
• Take an antihistamine to reduce the body’s itchy reactions.

Poison Ivy

Poison ivy can quickly turn a pleasant hike into a totally miserable ordeal, so avoiding it entirely is your best course of action. Despite its fierce reputation, poison ivy is an innocent looking plant, so you’ll have to look carefully to spot it. The poison ivy giveaway is three pointed leaflets connected to a stem. Teach your children to identify poison ivy along with you – the more people on the lookout, the better.

If you’re going to be hiking the Greenbelt or running the trail where you know poison ivy is a risk, wear long sleeves and pants.

Poison Ivy First Aid

• Avoid scratching the area.
• Apply a cold, wet cloth.
• Use calamine lotion to soothe the area and Domeboro solution if blisters rupture.
• Consult a physician if the rash is on the face, very severe, oozes pus or lasts for several weeks.

Sunburn

If you haven’t grown up and started wearing sunscreen yet, now’s the time to start. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., so set a good example for your kids by always applying sunscreen to them and yourself.

Preventing Sunburn

• Limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Wear sunscreen of at least 30 SPF that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation (this is sometimes known as “broad spectrum”). Reapply regularly, especially after swimming or sweating.

Sunburn First Aid

• Treat area with cold compress.
• Apply calamine lotion or aloe vera gel.
• Use ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation.

Dehydration and Heat Illness

Dehydration and heat illness are very easy to fall victim to in Austin. You often don’t begin feeling thirsty until you’re well dehydrated, leaving you vulnerable to heat-related health issues. No matter how fit you think you are or how much time you spend outdoors, the sun is always going to win if you don’t stay hydrated. Always pack plenty of water for the entire family on your summer adventures.

Preventing Heat Illness

• Regularly drink fluids to stay hydrated, even when you’re not immediately thirsty.
• Exercise early, before it gets hot out.
• If you start to cramp or feel exhausted, spray yourself with cool water and rest in front of a fan.