Summer means more bugs, heat and injuries. Here's how to protect yourself

As the parent of four very active children, Dr. Shaneka Kulasingham is no stranger to taking precautions to prevent medical emergencies while travelling. 

And as an emergency physician at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton in Ontario, Kulasingham is also abundantly familiar with the common emergencies that people face in the summer. 

As Canadians enter another hot season, experts like Kulasingham recommend taking preventive measures to protect against injuries, summer heat and bugs — and to seek professional medical help if regular first aid doesn't provide relief. 

"With the warmer weather, longer daylight hours and everyone is out more, [focus] a little bit on prevention," Kulasingham told Dr. Brian Goldman, host of The Dose podcast. 

Kulasingham also says basic medication like Advil and Tylenol, non-drowsy antihistamines like some formulations of Reactin and Claritin, as well as nausea-relief medication like Gravol are all useful to include in a first-aid kit.

As people spend more time outdoors in the summer, Kulasingham says her emergency department sees more orthopedic injuries, like broken bones, sprains, strains and tears. 

"Make sure that you're wearing protective gear," she told Goldman. 

Helmets, knee pads and elbow pads are all useful.

She acknowledges that different people have different pain tolerances. But something like a rolled ankle that can bear weight with minimal discomfort likely doesn't need major medical intervention, she said. 

Instead, some combination of PEACE and LOVE recovery should be enough to heal the injury. That strategy emphasizes rest in the first few days of an incident, then a slow reintroduction of physical activities. 

"If the pain persists, there's swelling and more bruising, then probably you need to have at least your family doctor or an emergency visit to check that out," she said. 

Whether it's the heat, humidity, or both, summer weather can be excruciating without protection. 

Heat-related illnesses are the No. 1 most common health hazard in the summer, according to Frankie Garcia, a registered nurse who works for Summit Health Travel Clinics in Toronto.

Heat cramps are typically muscle cramps and spasms, often in the legs and abdomen, paired with heavy sweating.