The 5 worst summer sicknesses

Getting sick in the summer is a real bummer, but certain illnesses are more common during that time of year. Enjoy barbecues, picnics, and pool days by learning how to prevent and treat common summer illnesses.

Swimmer’s ear: Swimmer’s ear is an inflammation that occurs in the skin of the ear canal. The ear becomes infected when moisture or water is trapped in the ear canal. An infection can also occur from ear trauma caused by cotton swabs or hearing aids.

Swimmer’s ear can cause significant ear pain. And common symptoms include: ear discharge, itching, hearing loss and a fullness sensation in the ear.

The best treatment for swimmer's ear is a course of antibiotic ear drops. Also, it is important to clean the ear canal and remove all the debris.  

Prevent swimmer’s ear by avoiding Q-tips, keeping ears clean and dry, and removing water after swimming.

Poison ivy rash: Poison ivy causes a red, itchy rash. It develops when skin contacts poison ivy oil or resin. The rash can appear within hours or days after contact, with severity depending on how much oil touched your skin.

If you come in contact with a poison ivy plant and develop a rash:

• Apply cool compresses to the skin.

• Apply calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream to reduce itching.

• Take an oatmeal bath to dry out the rash and reduce itching.

Poison ivy plants have three green leaves and a red stem, and they grow in the form of a vine. Leaves of three, let them be.

Summer colds: Colds in the summer always feel so much worse than they do in the winter. But are they that different?

The types of virus can be slightly different, but essentially there is not much of a difference. Summer colds can seem worse because, during the summer, everyone wants to be outside and swimming. On occasion, viruses can cause a more insidious case, so you feel sick for a longer period of time.

Summer cold symptoms include nasal congestion and discharge. Other symptoms include dry cough, ear pressure, and occasional fever.

To treat summer colds, physicians recommend staying hydrated, using nasal saline rinses, and taking oral decongestants and oral anti-inflammatories.

The best way to prevent a summer cold is to stay away from people with colds.

Food poisoning: Foodborne illness rises in summer as bacteria grow faster in heat and outdoor eating increases.

Foodborne illnesses usually cause vomiting and diarrhea. Seek care for fever, bloody stool, dehydration, or diarrhea lasting over three days.

To prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses, the United States Department of Agriculture recommends:

• Washing hands and surfaces often.

• Separating meats when prepping and grilling.

• Cooking all raw beef, pork, lamb and veal to 160 °F.

• Refrigerating perishable foods like cooked meats, potato or pasta salads.

Asthma: Summer can be especially challenging for people with asthma, as many common triggers are found outdoors. Sudden changes in weather, like a humid day or a cool breeze, can trigger an attack. Even smoke billowing from a campfire can cause an asthma flair-up.

To prevent a summer asthma attack, know your triggers and get tested for allergies. It’s also important to continue your normal treatment routine and carry your inhaler at all times.

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