Find care near me 
Key Points
- The article provides tips on how to protect children from five common summer ailments: food poisoning, heat stroke, fungal infections, Lyme disease, and swimmer's ear.
- To prevent food poisoning, it's important to separate raw and ready-to-eat foods during preparation, and use different utensils for cooking raw meat and vegetables.
- Protecting children from heat stroke involves ensuring they stay hydrated, applying sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside and reapplying it every two hours.
- Fungal infections can be prevented by not allowing children to go barefoot in public places, and encouraging frequent hand washing and foot rinsing.
- The article also suggests doing daily checks for ticks to prevent Lyme disease, and using earplugs or a swimmer's cap, and preventative ear drops to avoid swimmer's ear.
The sun, the beach, the pool - summer’s the best for kids. But all that outdoor time also makes it a ripe season for certain illnesses.
Related: 2021 Summer Vacation checklist →
Here’s how to protect your family from summer’s top 5 most common ailments:
Food Poisoning
Be careful when you’re preparing different foods in close proximity (especially when you’re BBQ-ing). To prevent the unwitting spread of bacteria, keep raw foods (hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken) separate from ready-to-eat foods (potato salad, watermelon). Use separate tongs or utensils when cooking raw meat and veggies on the grill.
Heat Stroke
Blazing sun doesn’t deter kids from playing hard. Which, if not monitored, can lead to heat stroke. As temperatures soar, tons of fluids and sunscreen are crucial. Remember that sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before they go outside, and then reapplied every two hours. And, bring your water bottles to stay hydrated when you’re outside.
Fungal Infections
Going barefoot is tempting. But don’t allow it in public places like the pool shower or in rest rooms (which are usually teeming with bacteria). To prevent infections, frequent hand washing and foot rinsing is also extra-important.
Lyme Disease
Summer is prime tick season (the nasty little insects that transmit Lyme disease). And frighteningly, 37 percent of Lyme disease cases are in children. Be vigilant about doing thorough daily checks for ticks, making sure you comb through your kid’s hair. When they’re playing near tall grass, dress them in light-colored clothing (which makes identifying ticks easier) and a hat. It’s also a good idea to tuck their socks into their pants and pull their hair back.
Swimmer’s Ear
This ear infection happens most often in the summer, when swimming is most common, and is not fun for kids. To prevent them, kids should wear earplugs or a swimmer’s cap in the water and dry the outside of their ears after swimming. You can also use preventative ear drops before and after you swim.
Taking these simple precautions will help you max out your family’s summer enjoyment. We hope you have fun out there!
Frequently asked questions
What are the top 5 most common summer ailments for kids?
The top 5 most common summer ailments for kids are food poisoning, heat stroke, fungal infections, Lyme disease, and swimmer's ear.How can I prevent food poisoning during summer barbecues?
To prevent food poisoning, keep raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods and use separate utensils for raw meat and veggies when grilling.What precautions can be taken to prevent heat stroke in kids during summer?
To prevent heat stroke, ensure kids drink plenty of fluids and apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside, reapplying every two hours.How can I protect my child from fungal infections during summer?
Prevent fungal infections by not allowing kids to go barefoot in public places like pool showers or restrooms. Encourage frequent hand washing and foot rinsing.What is Lyme disease and how can it be prevented?
Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks, and can be prevented by doing thorough daily checks for ticks, especially in your child's hair. When they're playing near tall grass, dress them in light-colored clothing and a hat, tuck their socks into their pants, and pull their hair back.What is swimmer's ear and how can it be prevented?
Swimmer's ear is an ear infection that is common during summer when swimming is most frequent. To prevent it, kids should wear earplugs or a swimmer's cap in the water and dry the outside of their ears after swimming. Using preventative ear drops before and after swimming can also help.What general precautions can be taken to ensure a healthy and enjoyable summer for my family?
Taking precautions like maintaining food hygiene, staying hydrated and protected from the sun, practicing good personal hygiene, checking for ticks, and protecting ears while swimming can ensure a healthy and enjoyable summer for your family.What is the best way to apply sunscreen to prevent heat stroke?
Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before going outside and then reapplied every two hours to prevent heat stroke.
