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Know the signs of an allergic reaction.

Allergic reactions (hypersensitivity reactions) are responses of the immune system to a normally harmless substance. In essence, it’s the body’s way to responding to an ‘invader’. When the body senses a foreign substance, called an antigen, the immune system is triggered. The body’s reaction to the allergen comes across visually as an allergic reaction.

Allergens may cause an allergic reaction when they land on the skin, eye or are inhaled, eaten or injected. A reaction can occur in several different ways:

• Seasonal allergy
• Drug allergy
• Food allergy
• Year-round allergy (e.g. Dust, animal dander or mold)
• Triggered by touching certain substances (e.g. latex)
• Triggered by insect bites or stings

A mild allergy, such as hay fever, can produce symptoms such as:

• Watery, runny eyes
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Nasal congestion

Luckily, these symptoms are rarely life-threatening. However, instances can occur when someone can have what’s known as anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that needs immediate medical treatment.

Anaphylaxis symptoms can include two or more of these symptoms.

Lungs

• Trouble breathing
• Coughing, wheezing
• Tightness in the chest

Heart and Blood Vessels

• Chest pain
• Low blood pressure
• Weak but rapid pulse
• Dizziness

Skin

• Pale or flushed skin
• Hives or welts
• Itchy skin
• Sweating 

Mouth

• Swelling of the throat, face, lips or tongue

Stomach and Digestion

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea, vomiting
• Diarrhea

If you or a loved one experience any symptoms of anaphylaxis, visit Sand Canyon Urgent Care. If a higher level of care is needed, our triage staff and/or providers will direct patients to the appropriate specialist or to an emergency room for further treatment. Call us today for more information!

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Healthcare Concerns to Avoid This Summer Season

Summer is in full swing which means most of us are spending our free time swimming in the ocean, laying by the pool, hiking nearby trails, and grilling at parties with friends and family. Unfortunately, the joys of summer can also be met with sunburns, food poisoning, and other unpleasant health issues. A bit of prevention can keep you safe this summer.

• Sunburns

A long afternoon spent outside in the warm sun playing games or lounging by the pool is one of the best ways to spend the summer. However, it’s not the best strategy when it comes to protecting your skin. Always be sure to apply sunscreen, wear a hat, cover up, and stick to the shade.

• Stay Hydrated

Dehydration occurs when more fluids exit the body than are taken in. With the hot temperatures and more physical activity (often) on the cards, dehydration becomes all the more likely, especially in young children and older adults. Be sure to replace lost fluids by drinking plenty of water and avoiding diuretics like coffee and soda.

• Prevent Food Poisoning

Summertime is the perfect time for barbecues. Unfortunately, the sweltering heat means it’s harder to keep perishable foods at safe temperatures. Be sure to keep perishable food items chilled at all times when not cooking.

• Avoid Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac

Camping, hiking, and time spent in the great outdoors is a great way to experience nature but also one that can increase your chances of brushing up next to poison ivy, oak, or sumac. Doing so can develop an unpleasant, itchy rash. Keep yourself rash free this season by learning how to spot these plants, keeping away from them, and washing your skin immediately if you do come into contact with them.

For all of your health concerns and any of your medical needs, visit Sand Canyon Urgent Care. We welcome walk-in patients. Our onsite diagnostic and lab facilities help us to best serve you and your loved ones. Call us at (949) 536-7892 or visit us here to get started!

Health Care Advice for Travelers on Cruise Ships

Cruising has become an increasingly popular choice in recent years. After all, it’s an ideal way to relax and see the world. You do not have to worry about lodging, and making reservations for meals. In addition, you get to enjoy fun activities on board, and visit multiple destinations in a matter of days. While cruising has many obvious pleasures, there are still plenty of health hazards that lurk on and off board. If you are planning to take a cruise this summer, the following advice may help to ensure that you make the most of  the experience.

Pre-Travel Health Check

Allow plenty of time for a pre-travel consultation. Book an appointment 4 to 6 weeks ahead of your departure date and have the list of countries you’re visiting on hand. You may need specific medications and vaccinations, depending on your travel destinations.

Vaccinations

Check that you are up to date on your routine vaccines, including your flu vaccination. Travel vaccine requirements are likely to vary depending on the destination, and some may require multiple doses. Additionally, you may require a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever which is an immigration requirement for many countries. Ensure that you have this paperwork in hand before heading off on your voyage.

Food and Water

Food and alcohol on cruise ships are generally available in abundance. Changes in diet and environment can cause gastric upsets while you are on vacation. You can help to prevent a gastrointestinal infection (commonly caused by the norovirus) by washing your hands thoroughly before eating and drinking. Also, be mindful to tell the food staff of your allergies and dietary restrictions.

Motion Sickness

Seasickness is the feeling of nausea and dizziness associated with the motion of the boat. Often, this is more common on smaller vessels as opposed to large cruise liners. If you are concerned about getting seasick onboard, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you travel about the preventative measures you can take, including oral medication and patches.

Do you have questions about your health on your upcoming cruise? We can help with this and more! When you need urgent medical attention and travel medication, visit Sand Canyon Urgent Care. With facilities in Irvine and Stanton, we can attend to your medical needs quickly. We welcome walk-ins and have an expert team of medical professionals ready to help you.

Jet-Setting for Summer? Don’t Forget These Tips!

If you’re about to jet-set and head out on your summer vacation or next business trip, you will want to do a final check that you have everything in place. From your passport to your luggage, double-checking you have everything is definitely recommended. If you are traveling internationally, the importance of reviewing travel information before you head out the door becomes even more necessary. Here are some tips for last-minute travelers.

Pre-travel Care

Even if your departure date is right around the corner, it’s not too late to visit a travel medicine provider. Ideally, you should see a healthcare provider at least 4 to 6 weeks before your international trip to get needed vaccines or medicines. However, if you’re a last-minute traveler, there are still options that your travel consult can highlight.

Vaccines

The vaccines you may require will depend on your destination and planned activities. CDC lists necessary vaccines by destination so that you know what to expect. Some travel vaccines require multiple shots and can take time to become fully effective. If you are short on time, you can be given an ‘accelerated schedule,’ meaning that doses are given in a shorter period of time.

Anti-Malaria

If your destination of choice has a risk of malaria, your health care provider may prescribe medicine to prevent malaria. Some drugs must be started 1 to 2 weeks before you go, while others need to be started 1 to 2 days before you travel. Be sure to let your doctor or nurse know when you are leaving so that he or she can prescribe the right course of medicine.

Prevent Illness and Injury

There are only a few things in life that are as disappointing as getting ill on vacation. Follow these simple precautions to keep illness and injury at bay while you are away:

• Wear insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites
• Reduce your exposure to germs by washing your hands with soap and clean water
• Use hand sanitizer if washing your hands is not an option
• Be cautious about what you eat and drink. Contaminated food and drink can cause travelers’ diarrhea and other diseases
• Avoid wild and frightened animals to avoid bites and possibly rabies
• Pack a travel health kit complete with prescription and over-the-counter medicines

Talk with your healthcare provider about other precautions you should take when traveling abroad. Don’t put off making an appointment for a travel consult – visit Sand Canyon Urgent Care. With facilities in Irvine and Stanton, we can address your healthcare needs quickly. We welcome walk-ins and have an expert team of medical professionals ready to help you.

Laceration Injuries Need Urgent Medical Attention

When an injury occurs, medical attention is often needed. When a laceration happens, urgent medical attention is almost always required. Lacerations, or a deep cut or tear in the skin, needs to be repaired quickly to avoid infection, restore function to the involved tissues, and avoid scarring. What’s known as ‘the golden period’ is a period of time after the injury has occurred in which it’s considered safe to perform primary repair of a laceration. In short, if a laceration is left too long without attention, it will not be able to be stitched up.

The Golden Period

The idea of the golden period is an old one which derives from animal studies. In 1898, Professor Paul Leopold Friedrich lacerated the skin of guinea pigs, then inoculated the wounds with bacteria. He found that if the surrounding skin was not excised within 6 hours, the animals died.

It’s important to bear in mind that animal-based studies are often incredibly different to human data. Artificially inoculating a wound with bacteria is not the same as natural bacterial exposure that occurs with traumatic lacerations. Even so, it’s become well accepted that there exists some window of time in which it is safe to close traumatic lacerations primarily. That window of opportunity is cited as anywhere between 3 to 24 hours.

Additional Factors in Laceration Injuries

Of course, it’s not as straightforward and researchers found a whole multitude of other factors that would determine how safe it is to sew up a laceration, including a history of diabetes, length of laceration, the location of the wound, and level of contamination. In some studies, the age of the laceration was not a cause for concern when debating the likelihood of infection.

For minor to moderate injuries and all medical issues, visit Sand Canyon Urgent Care and let us take care of your family’s medical needs. Call us today at (949) 536-7892 for more information!