10 Summer Health Hazards — and How to Prevent Them

Why now? Allow us to harken back to high school earth science: During the summer, the earth is closest to the sun, which means those glowing rays are at their strongest level of impact to our sensitive skin. Despite the known risks of skin cancer, many of us still seek out the sun in attempts to get tan.

What to do: According to Dr. Isaac Eliaz, MD, MS, LAc, the best thing to do is stay out of the sun or cover yourself with specific SPF clothing or all natural sunscreen with minimum 30 SPF. If you do get burned, you can treat heat and inflammation with arnica gel, and systemically with foods and botanicals such as fresh vegetables, mint, and honeysuckle. Moisturizers and aloe vera can help soothe peeling skin.

Why now? Yeast thrives in warm, dark, moist environments — such as the snug, damp crotch of a wet bathing suit. Infections can also be triggered by deodorant tampons, which many women use more frequently during swim season. "The perfumes in tampons alter the balance of bacteria inside the vagina that keep yeast growth in check," says Pamela G. Rockwell, an assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. An itchy, burning sensation in your vagina and a cottage cheese–like discharge are signs of infection.

What to do: Slip into something dry after swimming or exercising and wear loose underwear made of cotton or Coolmax, materials that wick perspiration away and keep you dry. And switch to fragrance-free tampons to keep your bacteria balance in check. If you do get a yeast infection, an over-the-counter (OTC) remedy, such as Monistat, should clear it up in three days; see your doctor if symptoms persist.

Why now? Well, you don't exactly go venturing into the woods bare-legged in the winter, now do you? Also, per Dr. Eliaz, reactions tend to be worse in the summer because the heat makes pores open and allows the oils to spread more easily, which is why cold water rinses — rather than a hot shower — are important after exposure.

What to do: "These plants are rich in oils that produce allergic reactions in many people," Dr. Eliaz says. "Reactions are typically seen in the form of an oozing rash, itching, redness, and swelling, and can range from mild to life threatening, depending on the person. Treatments can include topical creams containing zinc oxide and ferric oxide such as the classic calamine lotion, which helps to reduce itching and also acts as a mild astringent to prevent spreading, reduce infection, and dry out the rash." If a severe allergic reaction occurs; however, emergency medical attention is necessary.

Why now? Unless you're Missy Franklin, chances are you don't spend nearly as much time in the pool the other 3/4 of the year. But to get a little more technical: "Swimmer’s ear is caused when water enters the ear canal and gets trapped by excess ear wax, temporarily reducing hearing. It can also cause inflammation and swelling and may lead to ear infection in more serious cases," Dr. Eliaz explains.

What to do: Eliaz recommends a gentle method that can provide relief for both adults and children suffering from swimmer's ear. Apply an antiseptic softening agent to the ear — he recommends tea tree oil, grapefruit seed oil, garlic-infused olive oil, or a mixture of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar. Then, lie sideways to allow the mixture to sit in the ear for a few minutes before gently flushing it out with a large, warm water-filled syringe.

Why now? Summer heat and humidity are heaven for mosquitos and their blood-thirsty friends, and since we're all spending more time outside, we're ripe for the biting.

What to do: The same topical treatments for poison oak and poison ivy can also help draw out the poison and reduce the inflammation and itching from bug bites. Dr. Eliaz also recommends calendula balm, arnica cream, aloe vera, and other topical ointments to help soothe the skin and reduce pain and inflammation.

Why now? According to Dr. Johanna Youner, an APMA podiatrist and spokesperson practicing in New York City, athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the skin on your foot that thrives in warm, moist areas. Your risk for getting athlete's foot increases if you wear closed shoes — especially if they are plastic lined, keep your feet wet for long periods of time, and have increased sweating. Athlete's foot is also contagious and can be passed via surfaces like pool decks and showers.

What to do: "To avoid this common summer condition, dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes, before putting on your shoes and socks," Dr. Youner recommends. "Change your socks during the day if they become saturated with sweat, and add a powder like cornstarch into your daily routine after showering to keep your feet dry and prevent infection."

Why now? Per Dr. Eliaz, heat rash is a reddish rash usually caused when sweat ducts are blocked by constrictive clothing. The ducts swell and can become itchy, but in prolonged cases, it can lead to a more serious infection and may spread to lymph nodes or other areas.

What to do: For starters, wear loose clothing that allows skin to breathe. If you see a rash developing, get out of the sun, remove clothing, and let skin air-dry. The same topical treatments for bug bites and poison ivy can be used to treat heat rash. Eliaz also suggests Chinese herbs such as Ce Bai Ye (Platycladus orientalis), as well as menthol and camphor to cool the area, reduce pain, and decrease inflammation.

Why now? We swear our pores feel more clogged in the summer, but Dr. Eliaz says that's not the case: "In general sweat doesn’t clog pores, but it may contribute to pimples or whiteheads if you are sweating out an abundance of toxins and don’t exfoliate skin and rinse well after. Blackheads can form when a hair follicle becomes blocked with sebum, and the pore opens and sebum is exposed to oxygen."

What to do: Eliaz recommends taking a long-term approach with a healthy diet rich in fresh veggies, lean proteins, and omega-3 oils. These will help normalize sebum production and prevent inflammation and infection. Staying hydrated and drinking at least 64 ounces of water every day will also help normalize your body's sebum production. "A gentle exfoliator or mask will help to reduce infection, and natural anti-bacterial toners with topical ingredients such as willow bark, lavender, and tea tree are helpful as well," Dr. Eliaz adds.

Why? Flip flops have become a summer staple, but they're actually horrible for you. "Because of the way flip flops are shaped, one needs to grasp the shoes onto your feet, which forces us to walk differently and could cause other problems with legs, knees, hips and backs. This can cause tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, heel pain, and other musculo-skeleton problems," Dr. Youner says. Not to mention the opportunities for toe-stubbing that come with having exposed tootsies.

What to do: If you must wear flip flops, Youner suggests brands like FitFlop, which are designed to offer more support, shock absorption, and skin coverage (even feet need protection from the summer sun). To find out which other brands carry the APMA’s Seal of Acceptance for proper foot health, visit their website.

Why now? Most of us don't drink enough water to begin with, and it's even easier to dehydrate during the hot summer months. In dry climates, sweat evaporates faster, and you may not even notice that you're losing a large amount of fluids.

What to do: In addition to staying hydrated, it's crucial to replenish fluids and electrolytes if you do dehydrate. Dr. Eliaz reminds everyone that extreme dehydration and heat stroke are medical emergencies that require immediate attention, possibly in the form of a saline IV.