June/July 2016 73 have little needles, and they inject you with their poison. It feels like 10 bees are cutting into you. It burns so bad, like a hot knife that has been sitting on a stove. It’s a pain I’ll never forget.” Once the sting has occurred, there is little that can be done. If you are allergic and start swelling up, go to the emergency room, suggests Dr. Jeffrey Pellegrino of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council. The torture can be minimized by soaking the area that has been stung in seawater, he adds. Another alternative is to liberally wash the area with vinegar as soon as possible for at least 30 seconds. If that is not available, concoct a mixture of baking soda and water to form a paste. When it comes to being on the water in a boat, nausea can strike at a moment’s notice. It’s smart to use a motion sickness patch or to take a seasick pill, such as Dramamine. Some travelers purchase seasick wristbands that may work on the acupressure trigger points. Since you know you are going to board a boat, don’t start off on the wrong foot, says registered nurse Cynthia Kurtz of Sunnyvale. “I’ve learned not to drink coffee in the morning. Eat light foods, such as soup, nothing heavy. Once you are on a boat, look outside and don’t stand near the back, where the diesel exhaust fumes may make you sick,” she warns. To calm the stomach, eat ginger candy or drink ginger ale, she says. The ginger and bubbles calm the nausea better than water, she says. If you’re not being stung or suffering from nausea, a beach getaway can still find ways to transform your vacation into a nightmare. The blue seas and white sand can entice you to cross into off-limits areas where nature trumps common sense. When travel agents Ken and Lin Low of Campbell flew to the Fijian islands, they had heard about a popular blowhole and convinced a resort employee to let them explore the area, typically off limits to tourists. They saw the glorious blowhole in action as waves smacked the rocks where they were standing. Suddenly, a boat went by, creating a large wake. Cresting water rose up to Lin’s nose and then receded. The undertow was so strong, it felt as if two arms were pulling Lin’s legs out to sea, she says. To make matters worse, there was a coral colony below her. Lin slipped, grabbing the coral reef while Ken struggled to pull her to safety. When the two emerged from the water, they went straight to the local hospital to get treated for their cuts. Moral: Heed barricades. Do not deviate no matter how much you want that photo. WOODS AND MOUNT AIN SUR VIVAL Joshua Burke learned only too well that mosquitoes go on bloodthirsty rampages when hungry. The Cupertino resident was on a Canadian camping trip trying to earn a Boy Scout badge that required a wilderness experience spread over five days when he became a victim of hungry mosquitoes. According to his father, Mick Burke, Josh was bitten so badly on the second day that one of his eyes was swollen shut. “His face swelled up, and we dug through the first-aid kit to get out the Benadryl.” Fortunately, they were able to layer on more mosquito repellent and covered his head with bug netting to prevent more bites. Josh became loopy on the medication, however, and was too weak to go further, so the campers had to turn around. If you do become dinner for the mosquitoes and feel so itchy you cannot stand it, Sunnyvale nurse Kurtz recommends jumping into cold water. “Get into an ice-cold river. You won’t get hurt, and you will be numb from the cold. It is the best thing for relief.” Each year, Kurtz goes camping with her husband and two children. She always brings her first line of defense: a first-aid kit and a medicine bag. Her go-to arsenal primarily includes Benadryl, pain medicines, anti-bacterial ointment, aloe vera gel, alcohol wipes, sunscreen, anti-itch medicine, mosquito spray and gel packs that become hot or cold. She also packs sanitary pads that can be used as a dressing if someone suffers a deep cut. That finger blister comes too easily when you pull a marshmallow off the stick before it cools. Kurtz advises not to break the skin, no matter how tempting. Instead, cut a piece of moleskin into a donut, and encircle the blister to protect it, she advises. If you have a foot blister, dress it similarly, and put on a fresh pair of clean socks. “Dirty socks will add to the problem since they accumulate sweat and grime and grit.” A useful tip for hikers is to invest in sock liners, says Kurtz. “These are made of a thin polyester or silk material. They go inside your socks to wick away moisture and prevent problems with blisters. Sock liners are only $10 and worth the investment.” If a bee stings you, cover the sting with ice wrapped in a towel. If you are allergic, head to the ER. If possible, use a credit card to push out the stinger gently. “Don’t use tweezers,” she warns. “It may release the venom inside the stinger.” And if you twist your ankle, wrap it gently, says Kurtz. Apply ice that’s covered in a thin towel or bag every 20 minutes to stop the swelling. After a few days, use heat to calm it down.
South Bay Accent - Jun/Jul 2016
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