Beach visits are often associated with fun, relaxation, and unwinding. In most cases, it is one of those activities to take the edge off and relax. However, accidents can happen anywhere and at any time. Beach Injury Lawyers, LLC has handled several personal injury cases, including beach injury cases, and knows the chances exist.
Below are some common causes of beach injuries you may want to know ahead of your next visit.
Sunburns
Sunburns happen a lot, and many people overlook them. While this injury is highly preventable, it still happens to a lot of people, whether because they didn’t use sunscreen or they used an ineffective product.
It is always advisable to avoid direct sunlight between noon and 3:00 pm. This is the best advice for preventing sunburn. However, using the right sunscreen can also prevent this beach injury. Recommended sunscreens should be a minimum of SPF15. It is also essential to lather a generous portion of the sunscreen on exposed body parts before going outdoors.
However, if you have suffered sunburn, treatment can be done by finding shade, rehydrating, and topical application of soothing ointments. Be advised that the ointment should be applied gently to the skin.
Sunburns with accompanying symptoms like fever and blistering of sunburn on children should be reported to a doctor.
Skin cuts
Beach visits are all fun and games. However, you may get carried away enough to neglect your slippers or footwear and walk barefoot in the hot sand. The hot sand may cut through your skin, or you may sustain cuts from shards of glass or shells in the soil.
Skin cuts are more common than you may have imagined, especially if walking barefoot on the beach. An excellent way to prevent this would be to wear appropriate footwear – even this isn’t 100% failsafe.
Ensure to apply appropriate first aid treatment to minor skin cuts. Start by cleaning the cut surface with clean water and applying a protective covering on the injured area.
Contact a doctor or see a medical professional in the event of major skin cuts.
Jellyfish
There are plenty of stories of humans and jellyfish. There are also several myths and treatments recommendations that simply don’t work.
Jellyfish do not actively seek to harm humans in their water, however, they sting when they feel threatened or scared. An average jellyfish sting leaves thousands of tiny stingers (known as nematocysts) in the skin. The stingers release jellyfish venom into the host’s skin which can be painful and discomforting for hours.
Treating this attack should be done with caution, especially as the sting can get worse when not properly managed. It is important to avoid scraping the stingers stuck in the skin, as this can make things worse.
Research has shown that vinegar is a great first-step remedy for such attacks. Applying vinegar to the affected surface can help reduce the sting.
Important: Avoid washing the affected area with fresh water, as this encourages the nematocysts to release more venom. You should also avoid remedies involving ice or ice packs.
It is recommended that victims seek medical help if they’ve been attacked by many jellyfish or if the sting covers a large area of their skin.
Sand Flea Bites
Beaches are open grounds with access to large bodies of water. Most often than not, there are different species of flies and insects around that could compromise a beachgoer’s health. Sand fleas are one of those.
Sand flea bites are likely to occur during the nighttime hours or at dawn. The bites can be painful, and for most, they can be irritating. Most bite spots leave rashes on the skin. The rashes may develop into welts or hives over time and the victim may suffer fever or related symptoms.
While there will be the natural urge to scratch the affected area, victims should avoid doing so. Instead, soothing ointments should be applied to the affected area.
Alcohol poisoning
Most beach visits often involve alcohol as a means to loosen the mood and lower inhibitions. However, beachgoers may suffer from alcohol poisoning, especially if they are not careful.
Alcohol poisoning can arise from several actions, including drinking large portions during the summer heat. Victims may suffer common symptoms like dehydration, irregular heart rhythm, hypoglycemia, and even weight gain.
Beachgoers may also suffer dehydration-led symptoms like an increased risk of having a stroke and more. Consuming toxic alcohol or high alcohol concentration or volume within a short time can also lead to alcohol poisoning.
It is important to seek immediate medical help when alcohol poisoning happens, as it can be deadly.
Other injuries from running in the sand
Running in the sand is one of the commonest highlights of beach visits, especially in the movies. However, this can be dangerous as beachgoers can suffer cuts, abrasions, falls, or other related injuries. It is important to observe the highest safety practices to prevent these injuries or significantly lower the chances.