It’s not just temperatures that are on the rise during summertime. Traditionally, Centra Care physicians see a surge in certain ailments during the summer months due to an increase in outdoor activities. Some that we’ve highlighted in the past include swimmer’s ear, sunburn and insect bites. This week our focus is on fractures/contusions, lacerations, and earwax – yes, earwax!

Fractures: Lake Buena Vista (LBV) – up 300% Lee Road – up 400%

Contusions: Kissimmee – up 400% Hunter’s Creek – up 350% Dr. Phillips – up 280% Clermont, Colonial Town, LBV – up 200% each

Lacerations: Altamonte – up over 450% Hunter’s Creek – up 300% Oviedo – up 200%

Cerumen (earwax) impactions:
Centra Care physicians flush about 20 ears a week for earwax impaction during most times of year. Since the start of summer, it is up to approximately 58 per week.

LEARN MORE:

FRACTURE or CONTUSION?
It can be difficult to determine if your injury is a fracture or bruise (a.k.a. contusion). The #1 myth heard atCentra Care from patients is: "It can't be broken because I can still move it". Often, even a doctor can’t predict whether or not an injury is a broken (fractured) bone, without an x-ray. Here are some typical signs that you may need an x-ray:

1. Rapid onset of swelling
2. Severe pain
3. Deformity
4. Difficulty walking on the injured extremity
5. Difficulty moving the injured extremity
6. Pain and swelling that doesn't improve after a few hours of ice and rest.

Remember, many fractures caused by sport related activities can be avoided by wearing the proper safety equipment, i.e. helmets, pads, shin guards etc.

LACERATIONS (CUTS)
Your slicing watermelon and the knife slips, the kids are running in the yard and one gets cut by a piece of glass, or busts open their chin…how do you know if the injury warrants stitches? Here are some things to look for:

1. Deep, gaping or jagged cuts
2. Cuts longer than 1 inch.
3. Cuts that continue to bleed
4. Cuts over a joint
5. Debris in wound

A doctor can determine if you will need stitches. You should have a doctor evaluate a cut as soon as possible, since a cut should be closed with stitches within 8-12 hours. You should also seek medical attention if the cut has any debris imbedded in it, such as glass, gravel or dirt.

Tetanus is a serious illness caused by tetanus bacteria, that often enters through open wounds. So, you need to be aware that your tetanus booster shot is up-to-date. The first round of tetanus shots are given in a series throughout infancy, followed by a booster between the ages of 4 – 6, and again at around age 11 or 12. Tetanus boosters are recommended every 10 years thereafter, so if it has been more than 10 years and you have an open wound, Centra Care will give a Tetanus booster.

Infection is a primary concern following a wound. A superficial wound can heal with home treatment. But to avoid infection, be sure to carefully wash the area with soap and water. To help stop bleeding, apply pressure with a clean gauze pad and elevate the wound above the level of the heart.

The following are some things you shouldn’t do:

• Do NOT assume that a minor wound is clean because you can't see dirt or debris inside. Wash it.
• Do NOT breathe on an open wound.
• Do NOT try to clean a major wound, especially after the bleeding is under control.
• Do NOT remove a long or deeply embedded object. Seek medical attention.
• Do NOT probe or pick debris from a wound. Seek medical attention.
• Do NOT push exposed body parts back in. Cover them with clean material until medical help arrives.

Source: National Institutes for Health

CERUMEN IMPACTION 
We all produce earwax (cerumen) to coat and protect the fragile skin of the ear canals. Some people produce more than others, some people have smaller ear canals, and some people pack the wax tightly into their ear canals when they use q-tips inside their ears. Many patients come to Centra Care after swimming for muffled hearing when water pushes the wax up against their eardrum.

If you need to see a doctor, Centra Care’s No Wait, Online Reservations allows you to secure a time at any of our locations that fits with your schedule. Now if you are sick or injured, you can schedule to see a doctor during your lunch break, after work, on the weekend, or whenever is convenient for you. For more information visit:
www.CentraCare.org

 

Sincerely,


Florida Hospital Centra Care
407-200-CARE (2273)
To learn more about "What's Going Around" in our community you can listen to the Centra Care Senior Medical Director each Tuesday morning between 8am and 8:30am on 88.3FM radio - Z88.3