August 5, 2019
We’re in the midst of those glorious, long summer days that are jam-packed with sporting events, family outings, parties, vacations, and whatever hobbies your heart desires. If you find yourself down for the count, though, you’re not alone. In fact, this is the time of year that MedExpress sees a number of visits relating to summer injuries which – shocker – have a lot to do with extremities like the arms and legs. Are you curious about what kinds of injuries we see this time of year, and which ones dominate the top of the list? We’ll let you in on our top injury visits and drop some helpful tips to help you summer fearlessly this season.
Ouch: Bruises, Scrapes, and Bites
MedExpress sees an increase in visits related to bruises, scrapes, and bites this time of year. Of those visits, the knees and lower legs seem to get banged up the most. That’s right – if your kiddo has ever fallen off his bike and scraped up his knee with a cut that doesn’t go much deeper than the first layer of skin, you may be included in that stat. In fact, in the last several years, these types of visits have accounted for nearly 30 percent of our summer injury visits across our 20 states.
And speaking of bites– you have some of summer’s worst offenders to thank for that. Visits relating to bites include bites from mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, and others creepy crawlies that find their way to you this time of year. Consider seeking medical attention, including MedExpress, if you find yourself with a painful scrape or bite this summer.
To live your best life this summer, consider these couple tips:
- Keep the bugs at bay. Get out the DEET and spray down your clothing and exposed skin to keep these pesky offenders off of you, though products with DEET shouldn’t be used on children under 2 months old. Stick to the center of the trail and avoid brushy, leafy areas where ticks are known to inhabit.
- Strap on the pads. Are you going to pick up roller skating this summer? Does your child plan on biking down to the park? Grab the shoulder and knee pads (and a helmet!) to keep those precious areas protected from future scrapes and road rash.
Double Ouch: Sprains, Dislocations, and Strains
About 23 percent of our summer injury visits over the last several years are results of sprains, dislocations, and strains, and the place they’ve most commonly occurred are ankles, feet, and toes. Other similar injuries include injury to the muscle or other soft, connective tissue for areas like the shoulder, lower leg, and neck area.
Maybe it’s a cartwheel gone wrong, or a soccer punt too hard – but these kinds of visits are pretty common at MedExpress during the summer. Not sure what the difference is between a sprain and a strain? They’re certainly similar – and they both tend to occur at joints and result in tenderness and swelling. But a sprain usually involves a ligament, which connects the bones and cartilage. Strains, on the other hand, happen when tendons or muscles are stretched too far or torn. Both will likely hurt, and it’ll be hard to put weight on the affected area – and a medical professional will need to evaluate and help rule out a fracture. To help you get back on your feet as soon as possible, seek medical attention or visit a local MedExpress center if you find yourself with a strain, dislocation or sprain this summer.
If you’d like to kick these injuries to the curb (not too hard, though!), consider these helpful tips to keep your body happy and healthy:
- Stretching can be your best friend. Getting out there a bit early and stretching those muscles can help prevent future cramps and sprains.
- Know your body’s limitations. Can’t make that jump? Not sure if you can safely handle that throw? Consider not following through. Your body will thank you later!
Put Some Pressure On It: Cuts
The third most common summer injury visit we handle here at MedExpress are cuts – specifically, open wounds to a number of areas on the body. The most common portion of your body where we handle cuts? Wrists, hands, and fingers. When the skin on any of those areas is punctured by a splinter, nail, glass, or any other sharp object, the resulting wound or cut can be painful and draw blood. Overall, cuts account for about 19 percent of our summer injury visits, and may include everything from kitchen and knife mishaps to DIY endeavors gone wrong. Should you find yourself with a cut this summer, consider MedExpress to help get you cleaned and stitched up.
We’ve seen a thing or two when it comes to cuts of all kinds, so consider these tips before embarking on your next summer project or adventure:
- Check it before you wreck it. Always know where the sharp part of your tool of choice is – whether it’s a kitchen knife, a power tool, or some other sharp object. Keep a steady hand on the other end, and keep exposed fingers and skin clear of danger.
- Don’t cut avocados in your hand. Believe it or not, we’ve seen the “avocado hand” more than once. Don't cut the core of an avocado out with a knife while holding the green veggie. Instead, put it on a cutting board – that also goes for any fruits, veggies, or other delicious foods!
Speaking Of Hands: Burns
While we’re on the subject of injuries to your hands, fingers, and wrists, let’s talk about another common summer injury – burns. Blisters, redness, and swelling are common symptoms and we know they hurt. These types of visits account for about two percent of our summer injuries.
If you’d rather not experience those uncomfortable burns, keep this in mind:
- Exercise caution. It might seem simple enough, but exercise caution when working around burners, fires, or other heated surfaces. Keep that exposed skin safe.
When it comes to treating summer injuries, this isn’t our first rodeo. We’ve seen a lot over the years, and these are just some of the top injuries that we’ve seen in the past several years. If you do find yourself with a sprain, bite, cut, dislocation, or burn of any kind, consider MedExpress for your next stop. We’ll help to get you back out there, and ready to once again enjoy a happy, healthy summer.