Avoiding
And Dealing With Sunburns, Poisonous Plants & Bug Bites
Whether you’re staying in
the wilderness or at the local KOA, camping is a great opportunity
to spend time with the family, get away from the stress of every
day life and experience a new adventure. And as any seasoned camper
will tell you, there’s also the possibility of sunburn,
bug bites or poison ivy to cast a dark shadow over the experience.
Use these camping safety tips to keep your trip as safe and painless
as possible.
Be Prepared
The first and most important factor
in camping safety is preparation. Know the area you are camping
in as well as possible before arriving. Learn about the different
kinds of plants and insects you can expect to see (and might want
to avoid!) on your trip.
Sun Protection
Protecting yourself and your children
from the sun’s damaging UV rays will prevent painful sunburns.
It will also reduce your risk of developing skin cancer, age spots
and wrinkles later in life. Look for a sunscreen with an SPF rating
of at least 45. This means that you are protected from the sun
45 times longer than without sunscreen. It should be reapplied
after swimming, sweating or showering. A broad brimmed hat and
loose cotton clothing help to shield your skin from the sun’s
rays without overheating. For extra protection, find some shade
to sit and play in during the sun’s peak times, from 11am
to 2pm. Remember that sun reflects off the water, so boaters should
use extra caution and apply sunscreen more often.
Avoid Poisonous
Plants
Most campers know the dangers
of poison ivy, poison sumac and poison oak, but few actually recognize
the plants. Look at pictures of these plants so you will know
to avoid them and the itchy, blistering rash they cause. A good
rule of thumb is “Leaves of three, let it be”. Touching
any part of the plant spreads the oil onto your skin. This oil
causes the rash, which can then spread to others or to other parts
of your body. If you think you have come in contact with one of
these plants, wash carefully with a mild soap to remove as much
of the poisonous oil as possible. Remember that any clothing or
sleeping bags you have come in contact with have the oil on them
as well. If you develop a rash, use calamine lotion or a paste
made of baking soda and water to reduce itching.
Always supervise playing children
to prevent the touching or eating of unknown plants. Even beautiful
flowers can be dangerous. For example, the buttercup grows widely
in fields and looks harmless enough, but can severely damage the
digestive system if it is eaten. Mayapples will look tempting
to children but can cause diarrhea. Moonseed berries look very
much like wild grapes, but can be fatal. Mistletoe, nightshade
and hemlock are all extremely dangerous and must be avoided at
all costs.
Bug Bites
Prevent bug bites by dressing
properly, using bug repellant and staying inside the tent during
peak bug times. Black flies and mosquitoes tend to go looking
for meals at dawn and dusk. Use this time to play cards or read
a book. Before leaving the tent, spray yourself with bug spray
and reapply as necessary. In heavily wooded areas or campsites
near water, bugs are especially bad. Wear long shirts with tight
collars and cuffs. Tuck your pants into your socks to keep bugs
from crawling up your pant legs. A hat with mosquito netting is
great for keeping bugs off your face and neck. Tuck the netting
into the collar of your shirt for extra protection. Check over
the inside of your tent with your flashlight before turning in
for the night. Always keep the flap closed tight to prevent any
stray spiders or earwigs from wandering in!
Relief
Bug bites and minor sunburns are
certainly annoying, but they don’t have to spell the end
of a fun camping trip. Keep Epsom salts, AfterBite lotion and
baking soda in your first aid kit to treat minor bites and rashes.
Pure aloe vera gel or even vinegar also take the bite out of a
sunburn. Ice from the cooler wrapped in a clean towel or T-shirt
can help to soothe and numb the pain. With a well-stocked first
aid kit, minor problems are easily treated in camp. However, if
you suspect your child has eaten a poisonous plant, call for medical
help immediately. A second degree sunburn that blisters must be
seen by a doctor before you put anything on it. A child who scratches
their bug bites could develop an infection so try to keep the
bitten area and their hands as clean as possible.
Don’t let the great
outdoors get the best of you. Learn as much as you can about the
plant and insect life in your camping area before you go. You
are ready for anything!
Contributed
By Miranda
Miller
