Remember the song about "Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer?" Well, we might add those "miserable" days of summer if we aren't careful. Here are some precautions to keep in mind during the hot summer months:

Sunburn - Sunburns may be as simple as a slight reddening of the skin or severe enough to cause blistering, fever, nausea, and permanent scarring. Almost everyone has suffered at least one sunburn at some time during their life.

The ease with which people tan or burn depends to a large extent on the color of the skin. A person who has dark skin does not burn as easily as one with light skin. Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for a sunburn. Therapy is directed at providing relief from the discomfort without doing further harm - such as applying ointments, wet compresses, and soothing lotions. Fortunately, most mild sunburns will heal without treatment if left alone. To date, however, no preparation has been found that will prevent the peeling which always follows sunburns.

Sunburns can be avoided by practicing common sense in exposing oneself to sunlight. When a person deliberately seeks sun exposure they should arm themselves with sun screen. This should be liberally applied to the skin, and the exposure should be carefully timed.

There are many misconceptions about when people will and will not get a sunburn. Some people think that portions of the body covered by water cannot burn; however, the portions of the legs covered by the water can burn just as much as the areas directly exposed to the sun. Other forms of supposed protection, such as beach umbrellas, are also ineffective. The rays of the sun bounce off the sand and burn the skin under the umbrella.

And, if you happen to get too much sun and wind exposure, we carry the unique line of Olive Oil skin care products to replenish your skin's moisture and texture,

Ticks - Ticks wait on underbrush or logs in the woods for people or animals to pass by. They grasp hair or clothing and work their way to the skin, attach themselves firmly, and begin feeding on the blood of their hosts.

If you have been in the woods in areas of tick infestation, check yourself thoroughly after undressing. If you find any ticks, they should be removed without delay.

There are many ways to remove ticks. Whatever you do, don't just try to pull or scratch them off, because a part of the head may remain in the skin and create an infection. You may use tweezers if you can gently lift the tick off without breaking it. If the tick shows resistance, you may persuade him to release his hold in various ways. A drop of kerosene or gasoline on the tick usually works. Lighter fluid, soft paraffin, tobacco juice, cigarette heat, or the end of a hot nail are also good persuaders. In any case, as soon as the tick is removed, wash the bite thoroughly with soap and water and apply an antiseptic.

Splinters - Puncture wounds wherein a foreign body remains in the skin are called splinters. When a foreign body irritates tissues it induces a festering reaction. White blood cells gather around the foreign body, and it is eventually discharged along with the pus.

If a splinter is lying slantwise and shallow, its deep end just beneath the skin, as wood slivers often are, it can be picked out by teasing the skin alongside with a sterile needle until the end of the splinter can be grasped with tweezers. A splinter not easily removed usually necessitates professional help. A tetanus shot or booster is always advisable.

Poison Ivy and Oak - Each year some two million Americans suffer from poison ivy. It results from contact with the oily resin (sap) of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac plants. It is important to wash all of the possibly contacted areas of skin, especially the hands and nails, thoroughly with soap and water as soon as possible after contact with poison ivy. Soap destroys the allergen. It is also helpful to wash clothes, garden tools, bikes, baseball gloves, etc., to protect against continued exposure to the plant material.

For most cases the most effective treatment is one that assists the natural healing of the skin by keeping it clean, drying up broken blisters, and relieving itching. Contrary to popular superstition, bathing, showering, and other exposures to water can be useful and even essential to treatment. Calamine lotion, applied early, will hasten the drying of small blisters.

The only satisfactory method for preventing poison ivy is to avoid the plants that cause it. There is yet no skin "protectant" or immunizing technique to improve on the old adage: "Leaflets three, let it be."

Blisters - Blisters can be avoided by using common sense. They are caused by fluid building up between the layers of the skin - nature’s method of protection. If unbroken and not likely to burst, leave them alone if you can resist the temptation. If they burst, leave the dead skin overlying, and keep the area clean and dry. Watch for signs of infection. Protect the area until the skin is hard enough to withstand pressure.

Feet blisters are usually caused by rubbing from either poorly fitting shoes or unaccustomed activity, such as unusual amount of running. They occur over points of pressure.

Avoid blisters by paying attention to shoes and using common sense. If blisters occur, burst the blister and leave dead skin overlying tender new skin for protection. Keep your feet clean to avoid infection and protect the blistered area against further pressure, for instance by taping the area for sports. If signs of infection (swelling, redness, tenderness and heat) occur, seek medical attention. You should also wear thicker than normal socks to reduce foot movement to reduce the incidednce of blisters.

(Courtesy of David Vaughn at Vaughn, Buchanan Shelley and Associates, Physical Therapists, in Greenville, South Carolina, phone 864-234-5842.)

You can find the right foot care products (including seamless and extra heavy socks) in our Foot Care department