Clinic gives recommendations for avoiding typical summer-related illnesses.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC), a nonprofit clinic providing services to American Indians in central Oklahoma, has a few tips for all ages on avoiding common summer-related issues.
Summer is just around the corner, with all the health risks associated with it. In preparation, May is Healthy Vision Month, Ultraviolet Awareness Month, National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, and Lyme Disease Awareness Month. This means it’s time to prepare children and adults by informing them on the risks and preventative measures to take.
Healthy Vision and Ultraviolet Awareness Month
May is the beginning of very hot and sunny days in Oklahoma. Protecting your eyes is essential during this time. OKCIC recommends that you wear at least 99 percent UV A&B protection eyewear. Less than 99 percent can cause more damage than not wearing sunglasses at all.
“It is especially imperative for parents and caretakers to protect a child’s eyes because up to 50 percent of lifetime UV ray exposure may occur by age 18 and children’s eyes have fewer natural protections against UV exposure, making them more likely to be damaged,” Dr. Rice, OD, OKCIC Director of Optometry.
National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
There is no cure for asthma and allergies, but many deaths are preventable with proper treatment and care. Ten people a day die from asthma and it affects 24 million Americans, with 6.3 million of them being children under the age of 18. Ensure you consult your provider for more information on treating and maintaining your asthma or allergies, and bring any prescription medications with you when you travel, including items like an inhaler or epinephrine auto-injector. OKCIC has a state-of-the-art Asthma Clinic in the Harmon-y Pediatric department through a joint initiative with the American Lung Association. The clinic is currently held once every week with pharmacy staff present to provide assistance needed in educating the families on proper use of medication.
Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection Month
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. UV damage can also cause wrinkles and blotches or spots on skin. The good news is that skin cancer can be prevented, and it can almost always be cured when it’s found and treated early. Simple steps to protect your skin today are: stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and put it on every two hours after you swim or sweat, cover up with long sleeves and a hat, and check your skin regularly for changes.
Lyme Disease Awareness Month
Lyme disease is transferred to humans by ticks, but ticks usually must be attached for at least a day before they can transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Early removal can reduce the risk of infection. Typical symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headache, fatigue and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. Steps to prevent Lyme disease include using insect repellent containing 20 percent concentration of DEET on clothes and exposed skin, removing ticks promptly and fully using tweezers, applying pesticides and reducing tick habitat exposure. The greatest risk of ticks is in the woods and edge areas between lawns and woods; however, ticks can also be carried by animals onto lawns and gardens and into houses by pets.
About Oklahoma City Indian Clinic
Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC) was established in 1974 to provide excellent health care and wellness services to American Indians in central Oklahoma. The clinic staff cares for more than 20,000 patients from over 220 federally recognized tribes every year. American Indians can receive a range of services, including medical, dental, pediatrics, prenatal, pharmacy, optometry, physical fitness, nutrition, family programs and behavioral health services. For more information, please visit www.okcic.com.