Many parents tend to see an increase in medical visits for their children in the summer months. Although the winter is filled with colds and flu viruses, the summer has many more opportunities for both injury and illness. As your children finish school and spend their summer months at home, ensure that you are prepared for some of the most common injuries and illnesses. Have a care plan ready and know how to handle specific medical problems.

Sprains and other bone injuries
Children tend to be more active during the summer months. They are not required to sit at their desks all day and the increased temperatures attract them outdoors. They may be running and playing with friends in the neighborhood. The increase in physical activeness increases chances of experienced sprains or other bone injuries.

If your child suffers a fall, it is best to monitor the area of pain. Immediately apply ice and evaluate the injury. If they are still able to move the area with minimal pain, continue to watch it for a couple of days. If they cannot move it or experience a lot of pain in the area, take them to a nearby walk in clinic. Ankle sprains and bone injuries are actually very common. Reports estimate that 25,000 Americans suffer from an ankle sprain each day.

Animal bites
While your children are playing outdoors, it is possible that they will come across an animal and experience a bite. The biggest worry when it comes to an animal bite is infection or rabies. Any bite should receive some medical consultation, even if it is at your local walk in clinic. Walk in clinics can view the bite and administer any needed shots or vaccinations. They can also make a documented record of the bite, should it happen again or to someone else.

Insect stings
The summer months also bring an increase in insects. In most cases, insects do not affect humans. However, they can rarely sting or bite humans. If your child experienced a bite or insect sting, it should be treated with an anti inflammatory cream. This will prevent the area from inflaming too much. If your child has never had any problems with allergies to insect stings or bites, it does not usually require medical care. However, it and the child should be monitored for any signs of an allergic reaction. When a child has an allergic reaction, they should be taken to the local after hours urgent care immediately.

Seasonal allergies
Hundreds of thousands of Americans suffer from seasonal allergies. As the seasons change, so does the air quality we breathe. The spring and summer months see an increase in pollen and other known allergies. Minor allergies can usually be treated with over the counter medications, but chronic allergy problems may require doctors care. A walk in clinic can also be helpful for serious allergy complications. The most common diagnosis in an urgent care center was upper respiratory condition, and the most common procedure was wound repair in 2012.

Cuts and scrapes
Just as the summer time brings an increase in falls and sprains, walk in clinics also see an increase in cuts and scrapes. Most cuts and scrapes can be treated with ointments and bandages. However, when they fail to heal or appear to be infected, the doctors for urgent care may need to evaluate it. Approximately 85% of urgent care centers are open seven days a week. Sometimes, it is best to ask the doctors for medical advice, rather than wait and see if it gets worse.

The majority of children in America have summer vacations from school. This gives them a much needed break from everyday studies. However, it also increases their chances of injury and illness, as they are more active and spend more time outdoors. Prepare you and your children for summer time activities by having a medical care plan for these types of emergencies. Urgent care centers are open for more hours than your primary physician and can be extremely helpful in quick summer time medical care.