All parents naturally feel oversensitive to the suffering of their children. A lot of the time, we have a keen instinct for when something is more than just a minor boo-boo. Kids can get sick at any time of the year, but summer seems to be particularly problematic. If your child has fallen ill recently or is experiencing new symptoms that you’re unaware of, here are a few of the common summer sicknesses to be aware of.
Heat rash
The temperature is going to keep rising for the majority of the season, which means that we are all going to be sweating a little more. There’s nothing wrong with that. There are, however, concerns to be aware of when the sweat we produce ends up getting blocked. Sweat ducts can be blocked by dirt, oils, and dead skin that all form naturally. When this happens, a pink or red rash might start appearing on your child’s body. It can be uncomfortable and itchy and usually happens because of wearing heavier fabrics in the heat. Heat rash isn’t very risky, but it can make it difficult for your child to get comfortable, especially when they are trying to sleep at night. Don’t immediately worry about a rash, know the other signs to look out if you are concerned it’s more serious.
Sunstroke
Care must always be taken to protect your child’s skin from the sun. Making sure that they are not overly exposed and choosing the right kind of sunscreen for them is crucial. Be conservative, choosing the higher SPFs, and make sure that you choose a lotion that provides both UV-A and UV-B protection, not just both. Aside from sunburn and an increased risk of cancer, too much time in the sun can cause temperatures to rise, leading to sunstroke. This can lead to a quickened pulse, dizziness and confusion, nausea, and even unconsciousness. Recognize the symptoms of sunstroke and know when they get serious so you can get your kid to the emergency room if necessary. Otherwise, make sure that they stay plenty hydrated throughout the day.
Eye damage
We’ve already mentioned how too much exposure to the sun can be harmful to your child, speaking about their skin in particular. However, it can be just as risky to their eyes, as well. This is not so much an illness, but rather a common physical injury that children are particularly prone to. Everyone can experience eye damage by too much exposure to UV-A and UV-B rays, but children have eyes that are more transparent and, thus, more susceptible to damage. A good pair of sunglasses should protect your child just fine, as can a wide-brimmed hat. Just make sure that they’re protected if they’re going outside.
Swimmer’s ear
As well as spending plenty of time out in the sun, it’s very likely that our children are also going to playing in the pool or swimming in the sea at the beach. If that’s the case, then be sure to protect them when they go into the water. Water can become trapped in the outer ear canal, creating a moist environment in which bacteria can thrive. This can lead to swimmer’s ear, one of the most common ENT issues affecting children. As a result, the ear can feel full, itchy, and very painful. Your child may experience temporary hearing loss. Over-the-counter antiseptic medication, taken orally or as ear drops, will clear it up in most cases. Otherwise, consider using earplugs to stop water from getting trapped in the ear.
Enteroviruses
Swimmer’s ear is not the only risk of going swimming in the summer, especially when it comes to places like lakes, rivers, and oceans. There is likely to be some kind of fecal contamination in these waters, even in minute doses. When this water is swallowed, this can lead to the contraction of an enterovirus. Enterovirus symptoms can vary wildly from simple cold-like illness to heart infections and hand, foot, and mouth disease. If your child is feeling sick after swimming, look up what you need to know about enterovirus and when you should take them to see their pediatrician.
Allergies
Allergies can, of course, develop at any point in an individual’s life. They are not only likely to happen in children, nor are they only likely to happen in the summer. An allergic response is when the body’s immune system has an unnecessarily strong response to certain foreign particulates. The body’s response to these allergies can be a lot more troublesome than what it’s reacting to. In summer, children are more likely to be exposed to many common allergens, including animal dander, dust mites, insects, mold (due to more humid conditions), and more. Get to know the HEENT allergy symptoms, as it can be easy to confuse it with other ear, nose, and throat issues. The sooner you identify and diagnose an allergy, the easier it is to manage it.
Hayfever
Hayfever is an allergic reaction, much like those that we mentioned above. It is, specifically, a HEENT allergy. However, it’s by far the most common allergy experienced in spring and summer due to all of the flower and tree pollen in the air. There are a lot of ways to manage hayfever and get some relief. Being aware of the risk of pollen is the key. If your child or you go outside, change clothes. Wash any bedsheets weekly in hot water. Try not to hang or dry clothes where they can be exposed to pollen. By reducing the risk of coming in contact with pollen in the first place, you can greatly reduce the rate at which your child experiences the symptoms of hayfever.
Whooping cough
Many infections are especially prominent in the summer. The heat and humidity can make it a lot easier for bacteria to thrive and linger in spaces they normally wouldn’t. Whooping cough is another bacterial infection that tends to be especially prevalent during the hotter months of the year. Highly infectious and spread through moisture droplets that are sneezed or coughed out, it can lead to long bouts of coughing and can be dangerous for children. Naturally, contracting whooping cough right now might look very similar to what symptoms we know about coronavirus. If your child is experiencing long uninterrupted bouts of coughing, getting them checked out is highly recommended. Whether it’s whooping cough, COVID-19, or something far less worrisome, it’s not a symptom you should ignore.
Lyme disease
As temperatures are on an upward trend throughout the world, Lyme disease is also becoming more prevalent. Ticks live in warm environments and thus are carrying this disease further than they have in the past. It’s best fought by preventing tick bites, such as by using tick repellent and DEET on exposed skin. If your child is playing outside, especially in areas with lush vegetation, such as bushes and trees, check them for tick bites. Lyme disease can be caught and treated early but, if not, it can lead to the disease spreading to the nervous system, heart, and joints. If you notice a bite and they develop any symptoms of illness, you shouldn’t wait, you should have them checked out. It’s better to be overly cautious rather than to let Lyme disease spread.
Eczema
Just like allergies, eczema is caused by an autoimmune response in the body. For a lot of people, winter causes more eczema flare-ups than summer. However, sun exposure and chlorine in the pool can also cause flare-ups, as can sweat. It’s worth noting that psoriasis and eczema are both chronic autoimmune skin conditions that are frequently confused, but there are different methods of treating them, so having the specific skin confirmed by a dermatologist is important. Similarly, you may confuse heat rash for the redness that can come with eczema. Get to know the symptoms so you know which it is. If your child hasn’t experienced eczema before, it’s important to get a diagnosis, as it may just be something more temporary which you don’t need to manage as carefully.
Food poisoning
Food poisoning can happen at any time of the year. However, since summer tends to see more of us outdoors, trying out foods we don’t normally eat such as barbecue, we are more susceptible to it. This foodborne illness is caught by eating food that has certain bacteria and viruses, including many kinds of undercooked meat. The heat of summer means that bacteria grow in such food even faster. When these reach our digestive tract, they can continue to grow, leading to an infection that can lead to stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and more. Preventing food poisoning by ensuring all meat is thoroughly cooked, preventing cross-contamination, and maintaining good hygiene is essential.
If you’re worried your child might be experiencing any of the conditions above, make sure that you don’t simply sit around and read about it. Don’t come to your own conclusions: get their doctor or pediatrician involved. Intuition and Google are no substitutes from an actual diagnosis that can get them the treatment they need.
