FLOODS AND TICKS AND HEAT! OH! MY!
This column is not to be construed to offer any kind of medical advice. If you are involved in a medical emergency, please hang up, and call 9-1-1.
In the past month, the news has brought us stories of deaths of paddlers who were caught in floods, and overcome by heat. And new kinds of ticks that spread Alpha-gal allergy, among others.
PLEASE, PLEASE IMPLORE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO ALWAYS WEAR THEIR PFDS WHEN ON THE WATER!
We all know that WE wear ours, but again and again we hear of families and friends that were on a happy holiday when their boat overturned and they weren’t wearing any floatation gear and their bodies were recovered hours or days later. This is particularly sad when friends decide that high water during a flood looks like a fun way to spend the afternoon. The recent flooding in central Texas killed several people.
Again, do as I say, not as I did. But I was young and crazy then. That I survived is mostly due to stupidity, and not any miracle or anything.
This summer is predicted to be a hot one. Hotter than ever, some say. Playing around on and in the water sounds like just the ticket to staying cool, so plan on boating!
But being on the water, it is easy to forget that you STILL SHOULD DRINK PLENTY OF WATER, AND KEEP COOLING YOURSELF.
If you start slurring your words, or having difficulty making decisions, your internal mental alarms should be going off, to remind you that you might be dehydrated and overheated, and you should drink more WATER, and get out of the Sun and cool off. Mental sluggishness is a sign that you are dehydrated and possibly overheated. Get out of the Sun, drink plenty of water, and take a rest. Also, keep in mind that you need plenty of electrolytes and salt, to avoid suffering from hyponatremia.
And here is a further reminder that some medications cause people to be less tolerant of Sunlight. Some medications cause Sunlight to create skin rashes, or make people more susceptible to heat exhaustion or altered mental conditions. And your skin does not block sunlight from getting through to your internal guts. It is perfectly possible to get sunburned on your stomach or lungs.
Again, do as I SAY, NOT as I DO. Of course, how would anybody tell if I was suffering from altered mental conditions?
TICK TICK TICK TICK TICK!
Finally, scientists have found several new species of ticks that can spread the Alpha-gal allergy. It used to be thought that only the Lone Star Tick could do that, but now we know that there are species of ticks all up and down the East Coast, and the West Coast that can do that, too. Once bitten by a tick that carries the virus, people can become allergic to eating red meat – beef, pork, or lamb, or dairy foods. Sucks to be in Texas and allergic to eating beef. But what can you do?
Whenever you return from visiting the outdoors, or paddling and camping, check yourself and your friends for ticks. They can be as small as a sesame seed. It could be a festive occasion! It usually takes several hours or days before a tick will transfer a disease, so the sooner you remove them, the less chance they will transfer anything. Once, Terry and I sat down on the banks of a stream, and could see dozens of ticks heading towards us through the grass and over the ground. Mortifying! We moved, and checked each other for ticks.
Be safe out there!
See You On The Water!
Harmon
