FAQs Archive - Page 11 of 15 - Lakes Urgent Care | West Bloomfield, MI & Livonia, MI

What advice can I give my elderly mother so that she can prevent a fall?

On December 21, 2016 /

Get some exercise! Stay active to maintain good balance and muscle tone to reduce the likelihood of falling.

Be aware that certain medications may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Whenever sitting or lying for a prolonged period of time, allow time to equilibrate your blood pressure by changing position slowly and with support.

Check your vision and eyeglass prescription every year and make sure that glasses have the correct prescription. Reduced or blurry vision is a major contributing factor to falls in the home.

And be sure to eliminate the trip and fall hazards as outlined above!

My mom is 82 and living on her own. I know that slip and fall accidents can be more treacherous for seniors. How can I help her stay safe in and out of the house?

On December 21, 2016 /

Millions of adults age 65 and older fall each year. These falls can lead to severe injuries including hip fractures and head trauma. Underlying health conditions, such as the need to take blood thinning medication, can lead to other serious problems.

While winter certainly creates more treacherous conditions outside, there are plenty of potential dangers within the home that are present year round. Here are some ideas to help keep everyone’s home safer:

Remove any tripping hazards such as items on the fl oor including books, papers, clothing and shoes.
Remove small throw rugs. Make sure that any remaining area rugs fi rmly grip the fl oor to avoid sliding.
Keep commonly used items on lower shelves of cabinets. Avoid using a step stool.
Use nonslip mats or other type of friction tape in bathtub and shower fl oors.
Be cautious of wet fl ooring during rainy or snowy days.
Improve lighting in the home. As we age, our vision requires a higher level of bright light to see well.
Make sure handrails are available and properly maintained near any steps or staircases.
Add additional lighting along steps and staircases.
If a family member should fall, do not move them from that location unless they are able to move themselves.

If my child gets injured on the playground or while riding their bike, how can I tell the difference between something I can treat at home and something that requires medical attention?

On December 21, 2016 /

If your child falls and has an obvious deformity to a limb, is unconscious or complains of severe head or neck pain, do not move them. Call 911 for help. It’s very common for kids to fall on their outstretched hand trying to protect themselves, causing a fracture involving the elbow. This type of injury requires a trip to the operating room for treatment. Most other injuries, ranging from a sprain to a moderate to severe cut, can be safely treated in a certified urgent care, saving you time and money.

How can I make sure that my child has a fun and safe experience in our backyard and at our neighborhood playground?

On December 21, 2016 /

Adult supervision is always advised so that you can keep an eye out for potential hazards and be the referee if play gets a little out of hand. Make sure that your child is using age-appropriate equipment. Preschoolers (ages 2 – 5) and school-age children (ages 5 – 12) are developmentally different and should use equipment (hopefully in separate areas) designed for their age group to help ensure a good (and a safe) experience.

The majority of playground injuries are related to children falling to the ground from slides, swings, monkey bars and other equipment. Wood fiber or mulch, pea gravel, sand, poured-in-place rubber, rubber mats or rubber tiles are safer playground surfaces, while concrete, asphalt, black top, and packed dirt or rocks are much more hazardous.

Make sure the equipment, including home play structures, are anchored safely in the ground. You can also do a quick check to see if all equipment pieces are in good working order, S-hooks are entirely closed, bolts are not protruding, and there are no exposed footings. Equipment should be free of rust, splinters, and missing parts.

Strings on clothing, long necklaces, or ropes used for play can cause accidental strangulation if caught on equipment. Ropes used as part of playground equipment should be secured on both ends.

Check for hot surfaces on all playground equipment before your child starts to play on it. If shade structures do not protect the equipment from the sun, the surface can become extremely hot and can even cause burns on the skin. And never let your child go barefoot or wear open toe shoes.

Encourage the use of UVA and UVB protective clothing and sunglasses, suggest playing in shaded areas, and, of course, always use sunscreen. A heat index at or above 90˚F may pose a health risk. Always keep your child well hydrated.

How do I know when a bug bite is bad enough to see a doctor?

On December 21, 2016 /

The vast majority of insect bites do not require medical attention. It is common to have some localized redness and swelling immediately after a bite. However, if the bite site begins to appear infected, redness, swelling, severe pain or any fluid draining from the area, you should seek medical attention, as the infection may require antibiotic treatment. If the bug bite causes the individual any facial swelling, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, seek medical attention immediately.

What’s the best way to prevent and treat bug bites?

On December 21, 2016 /

There are simple measures you can take to help reduce your risk of exposure to bug bites. Wear long sleeves and long pants when planning evening outdoor activities. In addition, apply a good quality insect repellent that contains at least 10 percent DEET, and use preventive environmental products such as citronella candles and yard torches. Mosquitoes frequently breed in standing water and puddles so, be vigilant and don’t let water accumulate around your home.

How much sunscreen should I use?

On December 21, 2016 /

To ensure that you get the maximum protection from your sunscreen product, apply sunscreen prior to going out in the sun. You generally need approximately 1 ounce (the equivalent of a shot glass) applied to the overexposed areas. Then follow the recommended reapplication guidelines mentioned previously above. Another important fact to know is that no sunscreen is truly waterproof. Some products are more resistant to coming off when exposed to water or sweat, but the best defense to ensure that your sunscreen does not come off your skin when exposed to the sun is frequent reapplication, particularly after swimming, to avoid any risk of unintended exposure.

We sometimes walk through a path in our neighborhood and I see what looks like poison ivy. How can I be sure it’s poison ivy and what should I do if I get it?

On December 21, 2016 /

As the old rhyme goes, “leaves of 3—let them be!” Poison ivy is a three-leafed very distinct appearing plant that generally grows in the midst of other shrubbery. It rarely grows independently.
The rash caused by poison ivy is from an oily resin found in the leaves, stem and roots. When this oil touches your skin, it often causes a very itchy and blistering rash. If you believe you have come in contact with this plant, immediately wash the area with soap and water. There are products available that are effective at specifically removing poison ivy oil. You can find them online or at camping/outdoor stores.

If you develop a rash, it can generally be safely treated at home with a topical hydrocortisone cream and an antihistamine like diphenhydramine for the itching. An oatmeal bath can also be very beneficial to help treat severe itching. If the rash is gets infected (generally from scratching the lesions), then you should seek medical care with your primary care physician or a certified urgent care center.

What is the best way to stay safe and prevent accidents with lawn mowers and other outdoor yard equipment this summer?

On December 21, 2016 /

Most lawn equipment today comes with excellent safety features built-in. However, there is no substitute for reading the owners’ manual (yes gentlemen, you should do this!) and fully understanding how the equipment works. While lawn tools can be very effective in helping create a wonderful appearance in the yard, they can also be extremely dangerous. There’s no replacement for common sense along with these safety recommendations:

Always wear closed toe shoes and work gloves to protect your hands and feet.
If a device stops working properly and you believe that there may be something jamming a rotating blade or other moving part, always shut the device off and refer to the manual for troubleshooting. Do not risk injury by substituting your fingers for tools.
Be aware that cutting devices can frequently launch unexpected materials, striking the operator, other people or pets and causing severe injury.

How often to I need to apply sunscreen?

On December 21, 2016 /

While choosing the best sunscreen is important, perhaps even more crucial is using it correctly — something a lot of us don’t do.

Sunscreen is best applied before going outdoors and before planned activity. Once outdoors, it is best to reapply sunscreen again following swimming or participating in an activity where you may sweat. Although some sunscreen products claim they remain effective after swimming, it is always best to reapply sunscreen after drying off. The FDA defines water-resistant sunscreen as meaning that the SPF level stays effective after 40 minutes in the water. Sunscreens are in no way waterproof, so you’ll need to reapply them regularly after you take a dip.

Don’t forget that wearing a hat and sun glasses with UV-A and UV-B type filtering and some type of clothing is always recommended which is more effective than just sunscreen alone. Enjoy the beautiful Michigan summers safely!