Baptist Health Wound Care provides tips to stay healthy this summer

Baptist Health Wound Care wants your family to stay safe this summer by taking appropriate action against summer bites, burns and cuts.

Baptist Health Wound Care wants your family to stay safe this summer by taking appropriate action against summer bites, burns and cuts.   

Fast facts:

• Over the past 30 years more people have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined.

• Mosquitoes transmit several serious diseases including malaria, dengue, Zika and chikungunya.

• Most spiders in the US are harmless. However, black widow and brown recluse bites are dangerous and can sometimes be life threatening.

• July is the peak month for burns suffered from barbeque grills and fireworks, even after the Fourth of July holiday.

Baptist Health Wound Care offers these tips for staying healthy this summer:

• Remember sunburns are entirely preventable.  With the appropriate shade, clothing and sunscreen these painful burns don’t have to be a part of your summer.

• Though uncomfortable, most bug bites are harmless and can be avoided with proper insect repellant and protective clothing; however, with the presence of an allergy, some insect bites can result in severe reactions. Seek emergency care for insect bites if you are experiencing chest pain, swelling of the face, turning blue, nausea, cramps, vomiting or are having difficulty swallowing or breathing.

• A minor cut or scrape will typically heal without medical intervention, but deep puncture wounds are at high risk for infection. Puncture wounds made by nails, teeth or knives are more susceptible to tetanus, as the infectious bacteria is most commonly found in soil, dust, manure and saliva.

Baptist Health Wound Care offers comprehensive wound care and leading edge treatments from specialists focused on speedy healing.  Patients visiting the wound care center for severe sunburns, worrisome insect or spider bites, thermal burns and cuts benefit from the center’s use of specialty dressings, debridement and other measures.

To be treated for your burn, bite or injury, contact Baptist Wound Care at 270-575-2414.