What time is it? It’s summertime! As the days get longer and hotter, outdoor adventures will become the No. 1 form of escape for people of all ages. And this increase in outdoor activities is often coupled with a spike in summer injuries. Whether you’re clumsy or not, being aware of these common wounds can help you determine the best route for treatment.
Fortunately, many of these summertime boo-boos can be treated at home—especially with the help of DispatchHealth’s mobile medical service. Read on to learn more about common summer injuries and how our on-demand service is keeping you and your family safe throughout the season!
Did Someone Say Summer Sports?
Heat-related illnesses may hit their peak in the summer, however, the warmer weather also marks the start of outdoor activities and summer sports injuries—such as sprains, strains, lacerations, and fractures. These common injuries range in severity, but some mild-to-moderate variations can be treated at home! Here are some summertime injuries that DispatchHealth’s acute care service can treat in the comfort and safety of your home:
Mild-to-Moderate Sprains, Strains & Bruises
Bumps and bruises go hand-in-hand with summer activities, but sometimes “minor” injuries can take a turn for the worse. After the adrenaline rush has worn off, you may start to feel your injury more. Fortunately, mild-to-moderate sprains, strains, and bruises can all be treated at home. While the
R.I.C.E. method is a great way to self-care for your injury, for serious injuries that require urgent care services, DispatchHealth can come to your home for professional treatment. We can even check for minor fractures!
Minor Fractures
Bone breaks always require immediate medical attention, but some minor fractures can be treated at home. How is this possible? DispatchHealth can bring imaging equipment into your home for radiography and/or ultrasonography acute care services. In short, we can conveniently perform X-rays in the comfort of your home for injuries that might be difficult to distinguish, like a minor break or sprain! That said, if you are dealing with a major bone break, call 911 immediately.
Minor Head Injuries
Head injuries are another common summer sports injury. While you may not experience symptoms immediately after a minor head injury, they can start to show several days or even weeks after the incident. For these reasons, it’s always important to monitor for signs of trauma after a head injury. Some mild symptoms to watch for that can cue the need for at-home treatment include:
- Swelling, bruising, and mild headache
- Nausea
- Balance problems
- Blurred vision
- Confusion, grogginess, or behavioral changes
- Memory issues
- Sensitivity to noise and light
If you experience loss of consciousness and/or seizures, reach out to a medical professional immediately.
Cuts & Lacerations
Whether related to outdoor activity or not, accidents can happen! When they do, cuts and/or lacerations are a common result.
Non-life-threatening cuts, lacerations, abrasions, and other wounds that might require stitches should always be inspected by a medical professional in case of infection. And DispatchHealth’s qualified teams can treat these minor injuries in the comfort of your home. So, when you accidentally slice a finger during summer BBQ prep or slip and fall by the pool, we’ll be there.
In-Home X-Rays Now Available From DispatchHealth
Summertime injuries are never fun, but DispatchHealth’s on-demand, in-home service can make seeking prompt treatment a little easier. Whether you aren’t sure if your sprain could be a minor break or are dealing with a peewee football head injury, our qualified medical teams can provide the wide range of tests and treatments that you need. Our recent partnership with
Professional Portable X-Ray (PPX), a mobile imaging provider, allows us to offer comprehensive, convenient, and safe imaging services for your acute care needs within the comfort of your home. This way, for those injuries that make travel difficult, you can skip the trip to the local urgent care center. What’s more, we’re in-network with most insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid, and are rapidly growing—covering new markets across the country!
To request care today, simply contact DispatchHealth via phone, mobile app, or website.
For life-threatening, limb-threatening, or time-sensitive symptoms, injuries, or illnesses, contact 911 immediately.
Sources
DispatchHealth relies only on authoritative sources, including medical associations, research institutions, and peer-reviewed medical studies.
Sources referenced in this article:
- https://www.henrycountyhospital.org/News-Events/HCH-News/2020/June/Common-Summertime-Injuries-and-Illnesses.aspx
- https://www.dispatchhealth.com/press-room/dispatchhealth-acquires-mobile-imaging-company-to-provide-in-home-radiology/
- https://www.geisinger.org/health-and-wellness/wellness-articles/2018/06/21/14/48/four-common-summer-sports-injuries-and-how-to-avoid-them
- https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/tw4354spec
