Sunny, with a chance of blisters
Before anyone dips a single toe in the water, sun protection is
a must-have to prevent sunburn, even on cloudy days, Dr. Jere
says. Severe sunburns are painful and can permanently damage
your skin, causing premature aging and skin cancer. A person’s
risk for melanoma, which is the most serious form of skin
cancer, doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns,
according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
“Your goal should be protection
of your skin, never to get a sun tan. Look for sunscreens that
contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, because those
ingredients block both ultraviolet-B (UVB) and ultraviolet-A (UVA)
light. Make sure the product has a Sun Protection Factor (SPF)
of 15 or higher, and remember to reapply the lotion at least
every two hours – more frequently if you have been swimming or
sweating,” Dr. Jere says. “Sun protection should go beyond
lotion. Wear sunglasses, put on a wide-brimmed hat, and sit
under a beach umbrella to stay out of the sun’s rays as much as
possible. And remember, the sun is most intense between the
hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., so consider limiting your family’s
time on the beach during those hours.”
Something else to consider is
the heat on your feet. Walking on the sand barefoot is akin to
traversing a bed of hot coals, so it’s often a good idea to wear
a sandal, water shoe, or flip-flop. Wearing foot protection also
saves your soles from pieces of glass, shells, and other sharp
objects that can accidentally be stepped on, causing cuts.
“Always treat such cuts
immediately and apply an antibiotic ointment,” Dr. Jere says.
“Do not venture back into the water until the wound has healed,
as an open wound may be prone to infection from bacteria in the
water.”
Squishy scourge
It may be a playground for families, but coastal waters are also
home to jellyfish, sharks, stingrays, and other critters that
may bite or sting if you come into contact with them. One of the
most common injuries is an accidental brush with a jellyfish.
Some species have long, stringy tentacles laced with toxins that
can result in pain, itching, swelling, and possible allergic
reaction if not treated. The most effective way to treat a
jellyfish sting is to apply a paste made of meat tenderizer and
vinegar to the affected area. This paste will neutralize the
toxin that hasn’t already penetrated the skin. Do not rub sand
onto the sting area, as that may result in additional toxins
being pushed into the skin. If you experience severe symptoms
such as weakness, headache, vomiting, muscle spasms, fever,
chills, or difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical
attention.
Though shark attacks are rare,
with an average of 50 to 70 attacks worldwide every year, they
tend to result from prey identification mistakes, where a shark
thinks you are a fish or a seal. To minimize that sort of
confusion, do not wear shiny jewelry or swim at dusk.
Water therapy
While having fun at the beach, don’t forget to drink
non-alcoholic fluids. You’ll lose a lot of water through
perspiration in the hot sun which needs to be replenished to
avoid dehydration. Water is a good choice – consumption of
alcoholic beverages can increase your risk for dehydration, as
well as personal injury.
"You should avoid alcohol while
swimming," Dr. Jere says. “Alcohol can reduce your body
temperature and impair your swimming ability, as well as impair
judgment, causing you to take unnecessary risks.”
Current crisis
For many, time at the beach is all about playing in the sand and
surf. As much fun as hitting the waves and building sandcastles
can be, the water should only be entered if you know how to
swim. Never swim alone. If you are a parent with a minor who
can’t swim, make sure they are wearing a certified floatation
device, and that they are under the control of a good swimmer at
all times.
“Never use flotation devices as babysitters,” adds Dr. Jere.
“When vacationing with your kids, stay close and keep a watchful
eye on them around pools, hot tubs, and the beach. Toddlers
tumble, and when they do, it is usually head-first into the
water. “
The same forces that make waves
so fun to play in also create dangerous rip currents, says Peter
Davis, chief of the Galveston Island Beach Patrol. “Rip currents
occur when surf pushes water up the slope of the beach, and then
gravity pulls it back, resulting in concentrated rivers of water
moving offshore,” he explains. “These rip currents can rapidly
pull you underwater, or so far away from the beach that you
won’t have the physical energy to swim back ashore. Statistics
show rip currents are responsible for about 80 percent of
lifeguard rescues and account for 80 percent of drowning deaths
at beaches. The best way to deal with rip currents is to avoid
them. Many beach communities post regular updates on rip current
conditions, so you’ll know in advance whether it’s safe or not
to enter the water.”
Eyes in the back of your
head
It can be hard to do, but adults need to always keep an eye on
their kids. Busy beaches can quickly become very disorienting
for young children, and parents who look away for even a moment
can end up in a frightening situation where they can’t find
their young ones. One way to avoid this problem is to set up a
flag, kite, or some other visual cue at your base of beach
operations, to help stand out from the rest of the crowd. Always
make sure your children know how to get back to your beach house
or hotel room, and consider using waterproof, portable two-way
radios so you can always stay in touch. Teach your children to
always seek out lifeguards if they ever do get lost.
“Remember, life’s a beach, and
keeping all of these threats at bay is a lot easier than it
sounds,” concludes Dr. Jere. “Trust me, parents, it can be done.
And you might just end up having some time to actually relax in
the process. Imagine that!” |
