Summer Drama
An outdoor play in three acts

Diane Peters

Nothing’s more fun than doing things outdoors with kids on a hot summer day. But it’s not all smiles and laughter when you find yourself reaching for your first-aid kit. Beyond kissing bruises and cleaning cuts, here’s how to handle three seasonal mishaps.

Act I: BEE STINGS

All animals need to protect themselves, and bees respond by stinging when crushed or swatted, injecting a pain-causing protein venom.

Treatment
Getting the stinger out fast will prevent the pain from getting worse. Plus an unremoved bee stinger could eventually become infected. Tweezing or squeezing can rupture the venom sac and injure the muscle. Instead, ease the stinger out by scraping at it with a gauze pad, a fingernail or a credit card. Apply baking soda mixed with a little water, then ice to ease the pain.

Seek help
If the child breaks out in hives or has problems breathing, she could be allergic and will require immediate medical care. Children who are known to be allergic should use their auto-injectors immediately. “Bring it with you wherever you go,” warns Carole Rush, an injury-prevention specialist with the Calgary Health Region. All too often this lifesaver gets left in the car when the family goes for a hike.

Act II: POISON IVY OR OAK
It’s the oily resin urushiol in these plants that causes the red, itchy and sometimes blistered skin reaction.

Treatment
“Get as much of the stuff off as you can — that’s the main thing,” says Les Johnson, director of training for St. John Ambulance in Ottawa. First, flush the urushiol off with cold water, then wash the skin with soap and water. As well, change the child’s clothing and wash anything that may have come in contact with the plant or affected skin. Oral antihistamines and topical corticosteroids or calamine may ease the itching. An oatmeal or baking-soda bath can be soothing as well.

Seek help
If there’s swelling beyond the exposed area and any breathing problems, the child might be having a serious allergic reaction and may require a prescription corticosteroid.

Act III: LEECHES

Nothing sucker-punches a summer swim faster than a slimy leech latching onto your skin.

Treatment
Don’t try to yank the worm off, as you may leave part of it behind. And don’t apply a burning cigarette, salt or harsh chemicals, as these may cause the leech to regurgitate blood and bacteria into the wound. Place your fingernail or a credit card under the leech’s front sucker to break the suction, then do the same at the other end. Applying a mentholated rub may cause the leech to detach itself voluntarily. Apply pressure for bleeding and ice for pain.

Seek help
Get immediate medical attention for the child if red blotches or a rash appears on his skin, or if he experiences faintness, dizziness or breathing difficulties. Again, these may be signs of a severe allergic reaction. If the puncture site becomes infected or ulcerated, make sure the youngster sees a doctor.