Accidents happen - especially when kids are involved – and all parents have experienced their fair share of mishaps.  Perhaps you missed a spot while applying sunscreen and a day at the beach left your daughter’s shoulders pink and burning.  Or an outing to the park ended with a visit to the pediatrician after your son took a spill from the monkey bars.

Unfortunately fun in the sun is often accompanied by opportunities for injuries and ailments. But armed with information you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the issues that come your way.  Read on for our local experts’ tips for identifying, avoiding and treating some of the more common summer-season health concerns.

Bee Sting

Symptoms: Pain, redness and swelling around the sting. 
Treatment: Remove the stinger by scraping it out with the edge of a credit card, rather than with tweezers.  “Squeezing the stinger may release more toxins into the body,” explains Donna McPartlan, a registered nurse from Deer Park. Clean with soap and water. Use cold packs and cortisone to relieve symptoms.
911: Anaphylaxis is an allergic reaction to a bee sting.  Symptoms are wheezing, nausea, difficulty breathing or swallowing, widespread hives and swelling of the face and/or body. 
“Parents of a child with a known allergy should have an Epipen and shouldn’t hesitate to use it,” says Jeffrey Schor, M.D., founder and owner of PM Pediatrics in Syosset and Selden. “Give your child Benadryl and immediately follow up with a doctor.   If you don’t have an Epipen, call 911.”
Prevention: Avoid perfume, cover food and don’t swat bees. 

Fractures and Sprains

Symptoms: “It’s often difficult for parents to distinguish between a sprain and fracture, because the symptoms (swelling, bruising and tenderness) are the same,” explains Dr. Schor.  “But fractures are more painful and tend to have more serious symptoms.” 
Another indicator is for parents to look at the circumstances of the injury to determine if their child needs to see a doctor immediately. The more force, the greater the risk of a fracture. 
Treatment:  An X-ray, followed by immobilizing the area with a splint.  “The child should then follow up with an orthopedist who may place a cast on it,” says Dr. Schor.    With a fracture, kids can be immobilized anywhere from two to six weeks.  Sprains can be treated at home using RICE therapy: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. But parents are encouraged to follow up with a doctor, especially for athletes.
911: “If you see a hand or leg deformity, or a piece of bone is coming through the skin, the hospital is the safest option,” explains Sergey Kunkov, M.D., M.S., chief of pediatric emergency medicine at Stony Brook University Medical Center.  “Call 911, and don’t attempt to move the child.”
Prevention: “The most effective way to prevent injury is through parental supervision,” says Darius A. Holmes, M.D., of Long Island Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine in Shirley. He suggests actions such as monitoring kids to ensure they’re using playground equipment in the manor in which it was designed to be used, and limiting toddler climbing to only a couple of feet above ground.  Choose a playground that provides protective cushioning under the equipment, such as rubber mats or a thick layer of wood chips.

Head Trauma

Symptoms:  Bruising, swelling and headache.
Treatment:  Apply ice to minor bumps to reduce swelling.  Clean with soap and water and apply pressure if bleeding.  “Have the child rest and observe them over the next 8 to 24 hours,” advises Dr. Schor. 
911:  With moderate to severe head injuries, there may be a loss of conciousness, vomiting, amnesia, confusion or blood or clear fluid coming out of the ear or nose.  “These types of injuries are best treated at the hospital,” explains Dr. Kunkov.  “Sometimes computer tomography of the brain is required and hospital admission may be necessary.”
Prevention: Some preventative measures include supervising children when they’re playing outside; ensuring that your child’s properly buckled into an age-appropriate car seat; and enforcing the use of a helmet while bike riding, skateboarding or engaging in certain sports. 

Heat Exhaustion

Symptoms: Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats due to dehydration.  “Sweat is a natural cooling process, and you need to replenish fluids to stay hydrated,” explains McPartlan. Headache, dizziness, weakness, cramps and pale, clammy skin are common symptoms of heat exhaustion.
Treatment:  Give water or an electrolyte drink, and have your child lie down in a cool place.  Use cold water or wet towels to cool down the body.  Children should also be seen by a doctor to determine if they need intravenous fluids. 
911:  Heat stroke occurs when the body is so dehydrated that it can’t produce sweat to cool itself down.  “We classify this as a life-threatening emergency,” says Dr. Schor, “and a person can very quickly transition from heat exhaustion to heat stroke.”
Symptoms include a very high fever (105-106 degrees), and skin that’s hot, flushed and dry.  “Call 911 and attempt to cool the child down by removing clothing and applying ice packs under the armpits and in the groin area,” explains Dr.Schor.  “Or immerse her body in pool or tub of cold water while waiting for help to arrive.”
Prevention: Drink plenty of non-sugary fluids.  The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that a good starting point is about four to six ounces of fluid every 15 minutes for a 90 pound child.  Also, avoid outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day. 

Poison Ivy

Symptoms: Redness, itching, swelling and blisters that may ooze and crust over.  The rash occurs when skin comes in contact with the oil of the poison ivy plant.  “The oozing from the skin can’t transmit poison ivy,” explains McPartlan.  “However, if the oil is on the clothing, the rash can be transmitted to another person.” 
Treatment: Cortisone cream, calamine lotion or an antihistamine may relieve symptoms.
911: See a doctor if the rash is widespread or occurs near the eyes.
Prevention: Avoid touching the plant. But if you suspect contact, rinse in cold water to close the pores and limit the reaction.

 Scrapes and Cuts

Symptoms: Bleeding, localized redness and swelling.
Treatment: Clean minor cuts with soap and water; apply antibiotic ointment and a bandage.
911: “Any cut that’s gaping or longer than half-an-inch should be evaluated,” says Dr. Schor.  “Also, if bleeding doesn’t stop after applying direct pressure for 10 minutes it’s a sign that the cut is more serious.”  See a doctor if excessive redness, swelling or tenderness continues beyond one to three days, as this may signal infection. 
Prevention: “Parents should check the surrounding play area to make sure it’s safe,” stresses Dr. Holmes.  Inspect equipment for sharp edges or objects and always wear shoes to avoid nails, tacks or glass that may be on the ground. 

Sunburn

Symptoms:  Red, painful skin that feels hot to the touch.
Treatment: Lubricate skin with body lotions that contain aloe and other soothing ingredients.
911: See a doctor if sunburn is widespread; skin is bright pink and burning or contains multiple blisters.
Prevention: Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) 30 minutes before exposure and reapply every 2 hours.  “Don’t forget often missed areas such as the nose, ears, shoulders and cheeks,” reminds Dr. Schor.  Keep babies under six months old out of the sun.

Tick bites

Symptoms: Tick attached to skin.  Circular red “bull’s eye” shaped rash could indicate Lyme disease. 
Treatment: “Remove the tick by grasping it with tweezers and pulling it gently straight out,” explains McPartlan.  Wash the area with soap and water.
911:  To transmit Lyme disease, an infected tick needs to be attached for 18 to 24 hours.  The earliest symptom of Lyme disease is the “bull’s eye” rash, and a child with this rash should be evaluated.  If left untreated, later-stage symptoms include fatigue, fever and swollen, achy joints.
Prevention:  The most important thing is to examine your child’s body and clothing for ticks and to remove them immediately.  Attempt to avoid ticks by wearing long sleeves, pull socks up over the bottom of pants and use insect repellant containing DEET.  “DEET comes in different concentrations, ranging from 10 to 30 percent,” explains Dr. Schor.  “Use only as much as necessary (a lesser amount if you’re not going to be out as long).”  For younger kids don’t apply DEET to hands or clothing. 

These tips are just a start to keeping your children healthy and safe this season. When in doubt, call your pediatrician.

Maureen Heaney, a mother of two from East Northport, feels better prepared to handle any First Aid situations that may come her way this summer.