All of the providers at Piedmont Family Practice want to make sure you’re reminded of Summer Fun Safety.   Also, a reminder to schedule Child Wellness Visits and Sports Physicals as soon as possible to beat the back to school rush.

Summer Safety Tips:

• If you’ve been bitten by a tick and develops symptoms (bulls eye looking bite, or rash), we recommend an office visit. If you’re unable to identify the type of tick and you still have the tick, bring it into your appointment in a closed clear bag like a Ziploc for the physician to identify.
• To ward off bug bites, we recommend insect repellent with EPA-registered ingredients and to avoid perfumes and scented hair products while outdoors.
• Limit time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10AM and 2PM, when the sun’s rays are most intense.
• Use broad spectrum sunscreens with SPF values of 15 or higher, reapplying it at least every two hours and more often if you’re sweating or jumping in and out of the water.
• Protect your eyes with sunglasses labeled with a UVA/UVB rating of 100% to get the most UV protection.

Do not mistake dark-tinted sunglasses as having more UV protection. Many sunglasses with light-colored tints can offer the same UV protection as very dark lenses.  It’s important to look at the UVA/UVB rating.

• Children should wear sunglasses that indicate the UV protection level. Toy sunglasses may be cute, but may not have UV protection.
• Consider larger glasses that have wraparound-style frame, which may provide more efficient UV protection because they cover the entire eye-socket.
• Pricier sunglasses don’t ensure great UV protection.
• Know that sunglasses are the most effective when worn with a wide-brim hat and sunscreen.

We want everyone to have a wonderful and safe summer.   We’re here to help with any summer ailments.  Piedmont Urgent Care is open every day from 8AM – 8PM for the expected and unexpected.