With the weather beginning to warm up outside, a lot of people are excited to spend more time outdoors. Regardless of how old you are, you need to put your safety at the top of the priority list. While there are certain health issues that can be addressed with first aid, when do you need to seek emergency care? Take a look at a few of the top examples below, and do not hesitate to reach out to a trained medical professional for help.
1. Broken Bones
If you suffer a broken bone, you need to go to the emergency room as quickly as possible. A medical professional needs to take a scan and figure out whether you need surgery to set the bone properly. Some of the most common symptoms of a broken bone include severe swelling after a fall, an obvious visual deformity, and an inability to move the extremity.
2. Sun Poisoning
While it is a great opportunity to enjoy the sunshine, you need to make sure you protect yourself against the sun’s rays. You should always wear sunscreen when you go outside, and make sure to use sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. If you suffer a severe sunburn, you might get sun poisoning. In addition to pain and redness, you might develop altered mental status, nausea, and vomiting, which are signs of sun poisoning. You need to visit the ER as quickly as possible.
3. Stings
If you suffer a sting from a bee or a wasp, you might need to go to the ER. While not all stings require emergency care, you need to go to the ER if you are allergic to bees or wasps. Some of the signs of an allergic reaction include difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, nausea, vomiting, and a diffuse rash. If you are allergic to bees or wasps, you need to make sure you have your Epi-Pen on you at all times. Reach out to your primary care doctor if you need an Epi-Pen and do not have one.
4. Snake Bites
Snake bites are always a serious risk when you spend time outside during the summer. If you spend time in the woods or walking through tall grass, you might end up seeing a snake or two. Not every snake is poisonous, but if you are bitten, you might not know exactly which snake bit you. Some of the most common venomous snakes include cottonmouths, coral snakes, and copperheads. If you are bitten by a snake, you need to visit the ER to make sure you were not bit by a poisonous snake. An ER doctor might be able to administer antivenom to mitigate possible complications from the bite.
5. Head Injuries
Head injuries are always serious, and you need to visit the ER if you suffer a serious blow to the head. If you fall off of a trampoline and strike your head on the ground, you need to visit the ER. If you fall from your bike or scooter and strike your head on the pavement, you need to seek the care of an emergency medical professional. Concussions, cerebral contusions, and skull fractures are just a few of the most common head injuries you might suffer, so make sure you put safety first when you spend time outdoors.
Contact CapRock Health With Any Questions or Concerns
These are just a few of the most common examples of situations where you should seek emergency care. Keep in mind that you never have to go through this alone, and it is always better to be on the safe side. At CapRock Health, we are available to help you with all of your summer injuries and illnesses. If you have any concerns about your health, contact us for help. We would be happy to assist you.