No doubt Minnesotans are out and about this summer, enjoying our way-too-short season. But, nothing ruins a vacation more than an unexpected trip to the doctor. Sometimes just knowing what to look out for can make the difference between a relaxing afternoon at the cabin and an overnight stay in the hospital. For example:
Dehydration
A day on the boat is dehydrating enough, but add alcohol to the mix and you’ve got a potentially dangerous combination. We cannot stress enough the importance of moderation while up at the cabin or on a lake vacation. Be sure to hydrate properly and be smart.
Bites and Rashes
Mosquitos in Minnesota this time of year are just horrible. We worry about the skin infection that can occur when bites are itched so much that the skin is broken. Hornets and wasps are also a concern, as a bite from either can easily turn into a huge welt that is red, itchy, painful, or hot to the touch. If your bites are growing, spreading, or associated with respiratory symptoms, we want to see you. Poison ivy is another skin concern. We like to remind patients that they can also catch it from touching a pet that has been walking through an area with the plant. Washing your skin and clothing are effective ways to remove the plant oils that trigger the reaction.
Sun Burns and Fire Pit Burns
Our Minnesota skin, deprived of summer sun for many months, is very susceptible to burning and to forming incipient skin cancers. Make sure you use sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher. You should use 1-2 ounces of sunscreen (30-60 ml) for your entire body, and don’t rush when you put it on because you will miss spots and indeed pay for it later. You should apply the sunscreen 1/2 hour before initial exposure and then every 30 minutes afterward. Don’t listen to claims that your sunscreen is “waterproof” or will “last all day.” Always re-apply every 30 minutes.
While enjoyable, bonfires are also a source of serious burn injuries. The first and most important step to treating minor and severe burns is simple: cool them down. If you’re at home, run the injury under cool tap water or grab anything cold to pour over the burn, even a soft drink will work. The critical thing is to act quickly because when you get burned, your skin starts to cook. You want to stop that process immediately. Speedy action with cool water reduces pain, swelling, and the risk of scarring. Do not apply ice. If you develop significant blistering or, worse yet, have areas of burn that involve the face or that have lost sensation, you should be seen immediately.
Water Skiing, Tubing, and Jet Ski Dangers
When a boat takes off quickly and you’re holding the rope to get up on your water skis, sometimes the jolt to your body can be too much. We’ve often seen this scenario in patients with ruptured bicep tendons, dislocated shoulders, torn ligaments in the knees, or broken ankles. Our doctors tell patients who have dislocated a shoulder in the past to skip the water skiing.
We also see many bruises, broken bones, fractured jaws and concussions from tubing accidents caused by a driver going too fast trying to “knock the riders off the tube.” Many of these injuries involve two riders who hit each other as the tube flies up over a big wave.
Rope and Docking Injuries
Ropes can also be dangerous. Drivers and spotters must be careful not to get a hand or finger under a tow rope. Also, never step on the boat’s gas unless the rope is taught and you can see all of it. A rope hiding underwater could be tangled on a water ski or tuber’s hand. We have seen many injuries to hands and rope burns to the body because boaters aren’t paying close attention to the rope before taking off. We also see injuries to hands and fingers that have been crushed between the dock and the boat or two boats.
Lures
Lures are the culprit of the most common fishing injury we see at The Urgency Room. We’ve seen lures stuck in hands, legs, heads, faces… you name it. The most common lure injuries happen when someone is baiting the hook or trying to take the hook out of the fish’s mouth. These injuries can be very painful, especially if the barb is stuck beneath the skin. Do not remove a lure that isn’t easy to get out. Instead, see us and we will numb the area before removing the lure. Also, be aware of your surroundings and never cast when people are near you.
Dr. Matticks is the Medical Director of The Urgency Room, which has three Twin Cities locations in Eagan, Woodbury, and Vadnais Heights. Learn more at: www.urgencyroom.com.
