
5 Most Common Summer Injuries and What to Do
Ah, summer! The sun shines brighter, the days are longer, and there are abundant outdoor activities to enjoy.
However, amidst all the fun and adventure, accidents can happen. That is why it is essential to know the most common summer medical emergencies, their symptoms, and when to seek immediate emergency care.
All locations in La Porte, Katy, Missouri City/Sugar Land, and Conroe/Montgomery are open 24/7 every day of the year. So you can count on us to help when you need it most.
Top 5 Summer Injuries
Sunburn
Every year more than 33,000 Americans visit the ER for sunburn-associated injuries.

Symptoms
- Red, painful skin that feels hot to the touch
- Blisters (in severe cases)
- Fever or chills
- Pain, tenderness, and itching
- Headache, nausea, and fatigue
What to Do
Prevention is key!
- Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30,
- Wear protective clothing and hats, and
- Seek shade during peak sun hours.
If sunburn occurs, apply a cool compress, use over-the-counter pain relievers, and drink plenty of water. Seek medical attention when:
- Blisters cover a large area
- You experience severe pain, swelling, fever, or dehydration
- Show signs of infection, such as pus-filled blisters
- Your symptoms worsen despite at-home care
- You feel nauseous or develop a fever, headache, or confusion
- You experience vision changes or have eye pain
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is a medical emergency that happens when your body overheats from prolonged exposure or physical exertion in high temperatures.
During heat stroke, your body loses its ability to control its temperature as sweating mechanisms fail. As a result, your body temperature can rise above 104°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes.

Symptoms
- Disorientation, confusion, agitation, or hallucinations
- Loss of consciousness (fainting, coma)
- Seizures
- Slurred speech
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Hot, dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty
- High body temperature (104°F or higher)
- Rapid heartbeat
What to Do
- Call 911 immediately
- Move the patient to a cool place out of the sun
- Remove or loosen clothing
- Apply cold compresses to the armpit and groin areas or poor cold water onto the body
- Provide small skips of cool fluids if the patient is conscious
Heat stroke is a time-sensitive life-threatening medical emergency that can be fatal unless promptly treated.
Intravenous fluids (IV) are needed to restore lost fluids and electrolytes. Many patients experience abnormal fluctuations in body temperature for weeks after a heat stroke, so close monitoring is required.
Insect Bites and Stings
Bugs, including ticks, mosquitoes, and flies, can spread disease. On the other hand, being bitten or stung by bees and wasps can cause severe allergic reactions.
The good news is that most insects won’t bother you if you don’t disturb them, but knowing what to look for is vital.

Symptoms
Most insect bites cause only mild symptoms, including:
- Redness,
- Itching,
- Swelling,
- Pain, and sometimes a raised
- A welt or blister
However, venomous spiders, scorpions, and other insect bites can result in more severe symptoms, such as:
- Intense pain
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Muscle spasms
- Abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting
- Fever or chills
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- A wound that spreads or blisters
- Dizziness
What to Do
- Wash the affected area with water and mild soap
- Check for and remove the stinger if you see it’s lodged in your skin
- Apply an ice pack or cold compress to reduce the pain and swelling
- Apply anti-itch to the affected area
- Take an antihistamine or over-the-counter painkiller to control uncomfortable symptoms
Call 911 immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Swelling around the eyes or of the lips, tongue, or throat
- Trouble breathing
- Cramping or numbness
- Rash or hives
- Severe itching
- Dizziness
- Stomach cramps
- Loss of consciousness
Food-Borne Illnesses
Harmful bacteria grow faster when the temperature reaches 90 to 110 °F. Because food-borne bacteria also need moisture to thrive, the summer weather in our area provides the perfect conditions.
During summer, our outdoor activities increase, including cookouts, picnics, and camping trips, making storing food at proper temperatures challenging and increasing the risk of food poisoning.

Symptoms
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
- Stomach cramps
- Fever
- Headache
- Dehydration
What to Do
Please seek emergency attention if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Vision changes, such as blurred or double vision
- Unusual or unexplained changes in behavior or cognitive abilities
- Difficulty swallowing
- Diarrhea lasting more than one day
- Frequent vomiting
- Tingling or numbness of the skin
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Severe headache
- Bloody stools or stools that are black or tarry
- Severe stomach or rectum pain
- Any fever in children under two
- Fever of 102 °F or higher in older children
- Little or no urination
Sprains, Strains, and Broken Bones
Because outdoor activities such as cycling, trekking, swimming, running, and playing sports increase during summer, it’s no surprise that we see more orthopedic injuries in the ER this time of year.

Symptoms
- Joint or muscle pain at the sight of injury
- Swelling and bruising
- Joint stiffness or limited range of motion
- Feeling a pop or tear at the time of injury
- Difficulty bearing weight on the injured joint
- The injured area feels hot to the touch
- Pain worsens with movement
- The joint or bone is visibly misaligned or deformed
What to Do
For sprains and strains, remember the RICE method: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. If pain and swelling persist or worsen, or you suspect a broken bone, seek emergency medical care immediately to prevent long-term disability.
In case of a broken bone, please don’t try to reset the fractured bone yourself. Instead, immobilize the injured area with a splint, and seek immediate medical attention.
As we embrace the joys of summer, it’s crucial to exercise caution to avoid injuries. Although prevention is vital, accidents do happen. When they do, the skillful doctors at Rapid Care ER are here to provide the best emergency care.