While the misery of flu and other upper respiratory viruses is generally contained to just part of the year, some illnesses show up even more during the summer heat – especially earaches, stomachaches, rashes, headaches and UTIs. Here’s a rundown of what’s going around, which issues can ruin a perfect summer day and when to head to Coastal Urgent Care.
Some of the most common reasons for earaches are related to changes in pressure and objects or fluid in the ear, so a summertime flight to a beach or pool-based vacation can easily create the perfect storm for pain. Often, this sort of earache, which is typically in the middle ear, will self-resolve.
Ear pain can also be caused by allergies that create congestion that backs up into your middle ear. Other likely culprits are sinus infections and colds that have a domino effect by slowing mucus drainage, which then puts pressure on your ear. A cold virus can also create swelling in your eustachian tubes (they connect the middle ear to the back of the throat and nasal-sinus cavity,) to create painful fluid build-up in your ears.
And of course, there’s ”swimmer’s ear.” If you pull on your earlobe or push on the little flap by your cheek and it causes pain, you may have an external ear canal infection, nicknamed swimmer’s ear (incidentally, it doesn’t restrict its torment to swimmers).
If you a severe sore throat accompanies your earache, bacteria or a virus could be to blame and it’s wise to head to urgent care. If ear pain comes with a temperature of more than 101°F, is severe, or sticks around for more than three days, head to urgent care. Antibiotics are a likely solution for many infections that don’t self-resolve. If you have swimmer’s ear, antibiotic ear drops will help resolve the infection and alleviate pain.
Spoiled food is one of the most common culprits for summertime stomachaches. If your stomachache appears suddenly, there’s a good chance you’ve eaten something contaminated. Be sure to follow safe food handling guidelines, like these from the CDC, to avoid the situation. But if it’s too late and you suspect food poisoning, be sure to increase your water intake: the greatest danger of food poisoning symptoms is the dehydration that quickly comes with it.
If you experience any of the following, you should head to urgent care. You can walk right in to a Coastal Urgent Care clinic; no appointment is needed.
If anything, summer is the season rashes love most. Whether it’s poison oak, poison ivy, heat rash, hives or impetigo, you can count on heat and sweat to exacerbate rash symptoms. Keeping skin cool and dry can help calm a flare-up, and an over-the-counter anti-itch medication can keep symptoms tolerable.
Knowing the cause of your rash is important so you can treat it properly. Seek attention immediately if your rash is accompanied by fever. Some rashes can be bacterial, some are fungal and some could be a reaction to plant oils or other allergens. A trip to urgent care can identify the culprit and keep it from getting worse.
One of the most challenging physical ailments to diagnose, headaches can be debilitating. Migraines, especially, can bring on a host of other symptoms that includes nausea and exhaustion. Headaches occur all year round because they are not typically related to a virus or bacteria, though sometimes the flu or a sinus infection can include a headache. If you experience recurring headaches, we typically suggest you see a specialist. Learn more about headaches on our blog.
But if your headaches occur seasonally, they could be related to allergies, bright sun or heat sensitivity. Dehydration is another common cause of headaches that are not chronic, so drink plenty of water. Add sunglasses to your routine if you find you’re sensitive to light. And for relief, take Advil (ibuprofen), Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Aleve (naproxen). If you are pregnant, acetaminophen is the only OTC pain reliever you should use: check with your provider for further instructions. Learn more about risks and which pain reliever to take, and when, here.
If you have been taking an over-the-counter pain reliever without relief, we suggest you see a health care provider. If your symptoms are severe and you can’t get an appointment, head to urgent care. If you are also experiencing a stiff neck, intolerable light sensitivity or a fever, come see us right away.
Urinary tract infections are more common in the summer for several reasons, with dehydration topping the list and tight clothing and swimwear trapping heat and moisture, encouraging bacteria growth. Swimming in untreated water can also contribute to UTIs as it can introduce e-coli and other bacteria. To avoid summer UTIs, drink plenty of water, get out of wet swimsuits quickly and always urinate after intimacy. These actions discourage and flush bacteria from the urinary tract.
UTIs almost always require antibiotics to knock out the bacteria that cause them. In fact, untreated UTIs can quickly lead to kidney infections and complications. Head to urgent care with symptoms of a burning sensation or pain with urination; increased frequency without an increase in volume; urgency; or cloudy or discolored urine. Be especially alert for fevers or chills and pelvic or back pain and seek health care attention if these arise.
No matter what illness tries to ruin your summer, Coastal Urgent Care is here to help. We have clinics across Louisiana and our hours reflect the reality of life, since illnesses always seem to strike during non-traditional office hours. Check the location closest to you for exact hours and walk right in — we never require an appointment. New patients are always welcome.
Reviewed By: Frank Garber, APRN, FNP-C
If you are in a situation that might be life-threatening, go straight to the emergency room or call 911. Situations like this include shortness of breath or breathing problems; seizures or ‘blackouts’; sudden vision problems; confusion or dizziness; heavy bleeding; possible breaks that appear to be deformed or blue, or that include bleeding; serious burns; the inability to speak or move; head and neck injuries.
