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By Dr. Josh Prickett, Medical Director of E-Care EmergencybrCenter, North Tarrant Location
As summer continues, Southlake residents can appreciate thebrrelatively mild weather seen so far. Working and playing outdoors inbrtemperatures under triple digits for a change may lead to taking safety forbrgranted in the heat. Even in 90-degree temperatures, you may be at risk for heatbrexhaustion, heat stroke or heatbrrash.
In particular, the heat can impact our Southlake kids as they return to school on August 25, as well asbrgoing to pre-season athletic workouts. Adults working outdoors should also bebrcautious in the heat. Some individuals are at higher risk for heat-relatedbrillness, so extra attention should be given to:
How the Heat AffectsbrYou
There are many ways your health can be impacted by excessivebrheat. Heat exhaustion develops when thebrbody overheats, whether from exercise or hot weather, causing symptoms such asbrweakness, dizziness, headache, fast heartbeat or dehydration. If not prevented,brexertion in the heat can raise body temperature to damaging levels as high asbr106F degrees.
If not treated, heat exhaustion can worsen into heatstroke. Heatstroke may begin withbrconfusion and fever, advancing to coma and even death. If you exhibit the signsbrof heat exhaustion or heatstroke, visit your local emergency care clinic as soon asbrpossible for diagnosis and treatment.
Adults, infants and children also can suffer from skinbrirritation known as heat rash. Heatbrrash may be caused by blocked sweat glands, wearing heavy/tight clothing, or bybran infection, but hot weather is certainly a common denominator. Any heat rashbrthat continues for more than three days, or seems to worsen, should be seen bybra doctor. Heat rash may also be caused by infection. Also consult a doctor ifbryour itchiness is severe or if the rash area swells or oozes.
Summer Safety Tips
Temperatures are expected to rise to more typical Texasbrsummer levels during August and September. Keep an eye on local weather reportsbrfor the heat index, which can alert you tobrdangers of excessive heat in the coming weeks. Even heat that’s less thanbr“excessive” can lead to heat-related illness if you fail to take precautions.
· brStay indoors in an air-conditioned place. If youbrdon't have air conditioning at home, visit public places that do -- malls,brlibraries, restaurants or retail stores.
· brIf you must be outdoors, take frequent breaks tobrcool off.
· brWear lightweight, light-colored, loose clothes.
· brDo not leave anyone, including pets, in abrclosed, parked vehicle in the heat.
· brDrink cool liquids without high sugar contentbrand without alcohol. Don't wait until you feel thirsty to drink. Extremely coldbrdrinks, however, may trigger cramps.
· brCirculate air with fans and use cool compresses to keep skin dry and reduce sweating. Note:brfans alone will not prevent heat-related illnesses.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a heat-relatedbrillness, be sure to take extra precautions even after you've recovered.brAccording to the American Academy of Family Physicians, heat exhaustion orbrheatstroke may make people more vulnerable to the heat as much as a week later.brYour doctor can tell you when it is safe to return to your normal activities.
By following precautions, watching the weather, and relyingbron help from Southlake doctors such as the urgent and emergency care team atbrE-Care, your family can enjoy optimal health for the rest of the summer andbrbeyond! Contact E-Care by convenient online check-in or call the NorthbrTarrant location at (817) 281-7277.
If you need care for sunburn, skin abnormalities or other problems, visit E-Care Emergency Centers for emergency or urgent care. Check in online or call 817-281-7277 in the Southlake area of North Tarrant County.
Josh Prickett, MD, is currently medical director for North Tarrant location of E-Care Emergency Center in North Richland Hills. Dr. Prickett graduated from the University of Oklahoma Medical School and has been practicing emergency care in Oklahoma, Minnesota and Texas since 1989. He has been married to his wife Carin for 29 years. They have a son Jonathan, a daughter Whitney, and a son-in-law John. Dr. Prickett and his family are active at Gateway Church in Southlake and love being a part of the Southlake community.