First aid in the summer

It’s summer! Of course we are all looking forward to the beautiful weather again, days out and planned vacation destinations. But there are still a lot of challenges lurking in summer. Think bites from critters, inconveniences while traveling, too much sun and pesky plants.

Of course, we are not doctors, but we have tips for you to prevent and cure! And let’s face it: as a mom, you just want to be prepared for anything that might happen during your summer adventures.

Bites from critters

Oak Processionary Moth

One pesky critter in this list is the oak processionary caterpillar. This is a caterpillar of a moth that overwinters as a pupa in the soil near an oak tree. When it pupates into a butterfly, it enters the oak tree to deposit its larvae. These grow into caterpillars with dangerous fire hairs.

Ester’s son played sports two years ago in an area where this caterpillar appeared to be and got a rash and blisters all over his body, which burned very badly. Such an experience is not easily forgotten! It helped him to go over the spots with a piece of tape and pull it loose so that the burning hairs came off his skin. Then we rubbed all the spots with Aloe Vera Gel to cool the spots. A sticky clothes roller can also help!

Always check your municipality’s website for current warnings about oak processionary caterpillars in your area. Many municipalities now have special apps where you can make reports and receive alerts.

Bees and wasps

Two years ago I was stung by a bee for the first time in my life. That was really no fun, because it burned terribly and it got thick right away. Fortunately, we have an extraction kit in the house that allowed me to suck out the venom right away. Then I put a cold washcloth on it and rubbed the spot thickly with Azaron.

Practical tips:

• Don’t have an extraction kit handy but the sting is still in your skin? Then gently scrape the sting away with your fingernail or use the blunt side of a knife to do so
• Don’t have Azaron on hand? Use another cooling ointment with Aloe Vera or Calendula
• Got stung in the mouth? Call 911 and arrange an ice cube to suck on – this will reduce swelling
• Do you have an EpiPen because of a known allergy? Make sure it is always within reach and tell others where it is located

Mosquitoes

There is nothing more annoying than a mosquito in your room or tent. You cut out your light and there you have those bitches. Mosquitoes are attracted to perfume, body lotion and people who have been drinking alcohol. So keep that in mind.

What really works against mosquitoes:

• Lavender, eucalyptus and lemon hate mosquitoes! Therefore, smear oil with these scents on your body
• Mosquitoes love windless weather, so put up a fan or turn on the air conditioning
• Apply DEET (the one from Etos works fine!)
• Use a mosquito net – it’s cozy too!
• Thermacell devices work great on the terrace or while camping
• Citronella candles are not only effective but also provide atmosphere

Ticks

If you have spent a day in the woods or walked in tall grass, always check yourself and your family members for ticks. Ticks look like tiny spiders when they have not yet attached themselves. If they are full, they look like gray capuchins.

Where ticks prefer to hide:

• Your armpits
• The backs of your knees
• Behind your ears
• The edge of your underpants
• Your groin
• Your neck, where your hairline is
• Between your toes and under your breasts

If you find a tick:

• Remove it as soon as possible
• Use tick forceps or tweezers as close to the skin as possible
• Pull gently and straight up – no twisting motions!
• Disinfect the area AFTER you have removed the tick

When to go to the doctor:

• If you can’t get the tick out
• If there is a red ring around the bite
• With flu-like symptoms
• In case of tick bites in children – always get checked!

Jellyfish bites

You are having a nice swim and suddenly you feel a burning pain. Chances are you’ve swum into a jellyfish. Most jellyfish are transparent, so hard to see.

What helps with jellyfish bites:

• Take as hot a shower as possible
• Remove any tentacles with tweezers (not your hands!)
• Vinegar can help (but NOT on a Portuguese warship!)
• After treatment, cooling is fine
• Don’t have vinegar? Urine can also help – sounds gross but really works!

Sea urchins

In some countries, sea urchins live in the water. If you accidentally step on them, the spines break off into your skin. Remove the spines as soon as possible and disinfect with vinegar. Can’t get them out? Soak a cloth in vinegar and tie it around your foot.

Prevention is key: Always wear water shoes in unfamiliar waters!

Travel

Car sickness

Children are especially prone to car sickness. My son can also suffer from it – very annoying for everyone in the car!

What works:

• Spit bags from the drugstore (with odorless jelly)
• Anti-car sickness band from the ANWB
• Pills against car sickness
• Don’t let them read or play games – rather hang up a screen
• Take regular breaks
• Ginger candies or ginger tea also work well
• Make sure your child sees something that moves along with the car (horizon)

Earache on the plane

Many people experience ear pain during takeoff and landing. For small children, this is especially annoying because they do not understand where the pain is coming from.

What helps:

• Letting little ones drink from a bottle during takeoff/landing
• Chewing gum, candies or licorice for older children
• Yawning or nose blowing with the nose pinched shut
• Special earplugs for flying are very effective
• Use nasal spray 30 minutes before landing

Too much sun

Sunburn

You know the one: you’re sitting in the sun with a drink. There’s a breeze so it won’t be too bad. Wrong! By the end of the day you are completely sunburned.

What helps with sunburn:

• Lukewarm shower without soap
• Tea towel dipped in buttermilk on the burned area
• Apply yogurt to the skin
• Aloe Vera gel
• Cucumber slices
• After sun lotion
• Cold black tea is also soothing
• Oatmeal baths can work wonders

Sunburn

Do you get vomiting, headache, dizziness and feel weak? Then you may have sunstroke.

What to do:

• Take cool shower
• Lie down in a cool room
• Take it easy
• Drink a lot (no alcohol!)
• New: Replenish electrolytes with sports drink or ORS
• If symptoms persist: call a doctor

Unpleasant plants

Hogweed

Bearweed, and especially the giant hogweed, has become a real pest. This plant can grow up to 5 meters tall and has large white flower heads. The problem: You don’t feel you’ve been in contact with it until after 24 hours!

If you have been in contact:

• Rinse the area thoroughly as soon as possible
• Avoid the sun for a week
• In case of skin lesions: contact your doctor
• New: Take pictures of the spot for the doctor

Nettles

Stinging nettles, fortunately, are not as bad as hogweed. You feel it burn immediately. It usually goes away within an hour.

What helps:

• Menthol containing ointment
• Calendula ointment
• Aloe Vera gel
• New: Plantain (plantain) rub on spot – often grows nearby!

New challenges of 2025

Heat exhaustion

With increasingly hot summers, we are seeing more heat exhaustion. Recognize the signs:

• Headaches and dizziness
• Nausea
• Excessive sweating or just not sweating anymore
• Confusion

What to do:

• To cool room
• Cool, wet cloths on wrists and neck
• Small sips of water
• In case of serious symptoms: call 112

Blue-green algae

Due to climate change, blue-green algae is becoming more common in Dutch waters.

Recognize blue-green algae:

• Green-blue haze on water
• Muddy smell
• Foam on water

On contact:

• Shower immediately
• Rinse mouth
• In case of complaints: call a doctor

Practical tips for your first aid kit

Basics in your vacation first aid kit:

• Band-aids in various sizes
• Gauze and bandages
• Disinfectant
• Tweezers / forceps
• Thermometer
• Paracetamol and ibuprofen
• Azaron or other emollient ointment
• Aloe Vera gel
• Aftersun
• DEET mosquito spray
• Spit bags
• Small bottle of vinegar (for jellyfish/sea urchins)
• Electrolyte powder
• Cooling gel patches
• Digital thermometer with app
• Pictures of your medicine list on your phone

Also important!

Remember that in some countries a first aid kit is mandatory in the car. A warning triangle and safety jacket are mandatory in every European country. In France, it is still mandatory to carry an alcohol test.

New regulations 2025:

• Always check the current regulations for the country you are going to
• Some countries now have stricter rules for medicines
• Get a translation of your medicine list

Finally

Prevention is always better than cure, but sometimes things happen. The most important thing is to be prepared and stay calm. With these tips in mind, you can enjoy your summer carefree!

Happy and safe vacations all!

Credits photos: OpstapmetLisa and Canva.com