Protect Your Body’s Largest Organ
Your skin is your body’s largest organ and serves as your first line of defense against infection, injury, and the environment. During the summer months, protecting your skin and maintaining proper hydration are essential to keeping it healthy.
Summer activities can increase the risk of skin injuries, including:
Sunburn
Burns from grills, campfires, and fire pits
Contact burns from hot surfaces
Road rash from bicycles, motorcycles, skateboards, and other outdoor activities
When a Burn Happens: Stop the Burn
The first priority in treating a burn is to stop the burning process immediately.
If a burn occurs:
Remove the person from the source of the burn.
Cool the affected area with cool (not cold or ice) running water for 15–20 minutes.
Remove jewelry or restrictive clothing near the burn before swelling begins, if it can be done safely.
Do not apply butter, oils, toothpaste, or other home remedies, as these can worsen the injury.
Cover the burn with a clean, dry, non-stick dressing while seeking further care if needed.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Care
Prompt medical evaluation is recommended for:
Burns larger than the palm of your hand.
Burns that completely encircle an arm, leg, finger, or other body part (circumferential burns).
Burns involving the face, hands, feet, genitals, or major joints.
Burns associated with facial hair singeing, difficulty breathing, or smoke inhalation.
Deep burns, electrical burns, or chemical burns.
Prevention Is the Best Treatment
Enjoy the outdoors safely by:
Wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapplying every two hours.
Staying hydrated.
Supervising children around grills, fire pits, and fireworks.
Using protective clothing and helmets during outdoor activities.
Allowing grills, campfires, and hot equipment to cool completely before handling.
Enjoy Summer Safely
A little preparation goes a long way. Protect your skin, stay hydrated, and practice burn prevention so you can safely enjoy everything summer has to offer. If a burn does occur, quick and appropriate first aid can make a significant difference in healing and recover.
Denise Blotter BSN,RN
