VCU news

By Anne Dreyfuss
C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research

As temperatures rise and the days get longer, opportunities for fun in the sun increase, but the uptick in warm weather activities comes at a cost. National statistics indicate that summer brings a surge in potentially serious accidents such as drownings, burns, heat stroke and more. As the only academic medical center and Level I trauma center in the region, Virginia Commonwealth University and VCU Health are home to experts who can provide an in-depth understanding of specific dangers, as well as preventive strategies to help community members avoid accidents and have a safe, enjoyable summer.

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Harinder Dhindsa, M.D., associate professor and associate chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, VCU School of Medicine

What injuries do you see more frequently in the emergency department during the summer than the rest of the year?

Heat-related illnesses are very commonly seen during the summer. These illnesses can range in severity from mild dehydration to true heat stroke. We tend to see heat-related illnesses in all ages, but more in the extremes of age. We also tend to see water-related activity injuries such as drowning and near drowning. Drowning is one of the leading causes of injury and death for young children ages 1 to 4. Summer is also a season when people spend more time on or around the water. As a result, we see a number of serious injuries from boating accidents as well as falls around the rocks on the James River. As people spend more recreation time outdoors, we also tend to see more insect, tick and spider bites. In addition, we see more snake bites from venomous snakes such as copperheads.

 

 

S. Rutherfoord Rose, Pharm.D., chair, Division of Toxicology and professor of emergency medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, VCU School of Medicine, and director, Virginia Poison Center

I heard the copperhead snake problem in Virginia is worse this summer than previous years. What can I do to avoid being bit? 

Central Virginia is home to a variety of animals that bite or sting humans, sometimes causing significant discomfort or even serious toxicity. Fortunately most animals only strike out in self-defense, so most bites and stings can be avoided by taking simple precautions, and avoiding invading the animals’ space. Rattlesnakes, copperheads and cottonmouths are the poisonous snakes in Virginia and copperheads account for more than 95 percent of all venomous snake bites in Central Virginia. These snakes emerge from hibernation in late March and they don’t disappear until October. Since snakes bite in self-defense, avoid provoking them and avoid their habitats – woods, woodpiles, tall grass, barns and garages. Wearing shoes, particularly at night in rural areas and in the woods or tall grass, may reduce the severity if bitten.

Are mushrooms that grow in my yard poisonous? They seem to appear after heavy rains.

Some mushrooms found in Central Virginia can be poisonous, particularly to children, but fortunately the number of non-poisonous mushrooms far outnumbers the poisonous ones. It may be difficult in some cases to distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms, since many of them share similar physical appearances. Therefore we do not recommend consuming any wild mushrooms – only eat mushrooms purchased from grocery stores. Promptly remove mushrooms from the yard or garden if children will play outside. If a child eats a wild mushroom (or even a piece of one), or if an adult feels ill after eating one or more, call the Virginia Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. 

 

Abigale Matulewicz, Pharm.D., assistant professor, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science, VCU School of Pharmacy

What should be done to properly care for insect stings and bites?

Insect bites and stings can seem like an inevitable nuisance during the summer months, but there are several things you can do to help alleviate the discomfort at home. After a bite, apply ice packs to the area to decrease swelling and pain, and for stings, to help slow the absorption of the insect venom. Try to avoid scratching the area as it can further injure the skin and increase the risk of infection. Over-the-counter products such as hydrocortisone cream and calamine lotion are widely available to reduce itching and inflammation of small bites and stings, and can be used safely three to four times a day for up to one week. Many products marketed for insect bites contain numbing agents that can cause skin reactions in certain people, so only use these products if you are not allergic to any of the active ingredients and stop their use immediately if you notice any signs of a reaction like skin redness, blistering or intense itching. Most bites and stings should heal within a week, but you should contact your doctor if your symptoms worsen or you don’t see any improvement after treating at home.

 

James Cotter, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Gerontology, VCU School of Allied Health Professions

What summer-related issues are older people more susceptible to and what preventive steps can be taken to avoid those issues?

First, drink water. Some older persons may be at greater risk of dehydration during the summer months. Due to metabolic changes, reduced kidney function and a failure to recognize signals to drink more, an aging body may become dehydrated. This would impact those with chronic diseases and those with low incomes to a greater extent than other groups of older persons. Recommendations suggest six to eight glasses of water per day, and an increase in fresh vegetable intake. Second, stay cool. Use air-conditioning or fans to keep the home as cool as possible. Third, watch the home repair scams. Scams involving people offering to do outside house work such as yard work, roofing and paving are often seasonal as well, and older people are more at risk for falling victim to such scams.

 

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