August Health Tips: 5 Common Problems to Prevent

August may signal that summer is winding down, but it’s actually one of the busiest months for outdoor fun. Families are squeezing in camping trips, cottage weekends, beach vacations and last-minute getaways before the back-to-school season begins.

Unfortunately, all that time outdoors also means we’re still seeing plenty of seasonal health problems—from sunburns and swimmer’s ear to urinary tract infections, bug bites and travel-related sleep disruption.

A few simple habits—and having the right products on hand—can help you avoid common summer health problems so you can spend more time enjoying your vacation and less time dealing with preventable illnesses.

1. Smart Sun Protection

UV levels remain high throughout the end of summer and into the fall and skin damage is cumulative over your lifetime. Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate cloud cover, while water and sand reflect UV rays, increasing your overall exposure.

I recommend using a mineral sunscreen whenever possible. Unlike chemical sunscreens, which absorb UV rays after they penetrate the skin, mineral sunscreens create a protective barrier on the skin’s surface that reflects and scatters the sun’s rays. Because they aren’t absorbed into the skin or the bloodstream, they’re safer and are a particularly good choice for people with sensitive skin and young children. Another benefit is that mineral sunscreens begin working immediately after application, whereas chemical sunscreens should be applied about 20 minutes before sun exposure to allow time for absorption. Mineral sunscreens are also know to be safer for the environment.

If you’ve avoided mineral sunscreens in the past because they felt thick or left a white residue, you’ll be happy to know that newer formulations have come a long way. One of my favourite facial sunscreens is DERMA-E Daily Liquid Sun Serum SPF 30. iThis lightweight mineral sunscreen blends in beautifully without leaving a white cast. It also contains jojoba oil to help protect against environmental stressors associated with premature skin aging, along with vitamin E to provide antioxidant protection and hydration.

Summer Tip: No matter which sunscreen you choose, apply it generously to all exposed skin and reapply every two hours—or immediately after swimming or heavy sweating. Don’t forget easy-to-miss areas like your ears, the tops of your feet, the back of your neck and your scalp if you have thinning hair.

2. Managing Eye and Ear Infections

Swimming is one of the best parts of summer, but lakes, pools and hot tubs can increase the risk of swimmer’s ear and bacterial pink eye (conjunctivitis).

Even properly maintained pools can spread bacteria and viruses when people swim while ill or neglect basic hygiene.

To reduce your risk:

• Dry your ears thoroughly after swimming.
• Avoid sharing towels or swim goggles.
• Stay out of the water if you have an eye or ear infection.

Watch for symptoms such as ear pain, itching, redness, eye discharge or increasing irritation. Treating uncomplicated infections early can help prevent them from worsening.

An over-the-counter option available in Canada is Bausch + Lomb Soothe Antibiotic Drops, which can be used to treat uncomplicated bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) and swimmer’s ear in adults and children aged six years and older.

3. Preventing Summer UTIs

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) tend to increase during the warmer months—and for good reason. Heat, dehydration, wearing wet bathing suits, travel and even increased intimacy all create the perfect conditions for bacteria to reach and multiply in the urinary tract. Even mild dehydration means you’re urinating less often, making it harder for your body to naturally flush bacteria from the bladder.

Women are especially susceptible because their urethra is much shorter than men’s, allowing bacteria easier access to the bladder. In fact, more than half of all women will experience at least one UTI during their lifetime, and many will have recurrent infections.

To help reduce your risk:

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Change out of wet bathing suits promptly.
• Don’t delay bathroom breaks.
• Void after sexual activity to help flush bacteria from the urinary tract.
• Wear breathable cotton underwear and avoid tight-fitting clothing for extended periods, especially in hot, humid weather.

If you experience frequent UTIs, prevention is often the best approach. One supplement I recommend is UriExo Double Action. It combines two clinically studied ingredients—cranberry extract standardized to provide 36 mg of PACs and D-mannose—that work together through two distinct mechanisms to help prevent bacteria, particularly E. coli, from attaching to the urinary tract. This dual-action approach helps protect both the upper and lower urinary tract while offering an affordable alternative to many other UTI prevention products.

Pharmacist’s Tip: If you develop symptoms such as burning during urination, frequent urges to urinate, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, or pelvic discomfort, don’t ignore them. Early treatment can help prevent a simple bladder infection from progressing to a more serious kidney infection.

4. Natural Mosquito and Tick Protection

Mosquitoes, black flies and ticks remain active throughout August, especially during camping trips, hikes and time spent in wooded or grassy areas. In many parts of North America, August is peak tick season, and there’s growing awareness about the importance of preventing tick bites because of the risk of Lyme disease. While not every tick carries Lyme disease, it’s important to take precautions whenever you’re spending time outdoors.

Many people are also looking for natural alternatives to traditional insect repellents containing DEET because they prefer plant-based products or have concerns about using synthetic chemicals on themselves or their children. The good news is that there are effective natural options available.

Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) is the only plant-based active ingredient recognized by Health Canada to provide protection comparable to DEET when used at the appropriate concentration.

The one I use is Druide EcoTrail Insect Repellent, a Canadian-made spray containing 30% Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. It provides up to six hours of protection against mosquitoes, black flies and deer ticks while leaving behind a pleasant lemon scent.

To help protect yourself from mosquitoes and ticks:

• Apply insect repellent before heading outdoors.
• Wear light-coloured clothing and long sleeves when hiking in wooded or grassy areas.
• Stay on marked trails whenever possible and avoid walking through tall grass or brush.
• When you return home, perform a full-body tick check, paying particular attention to the scalp, behind the knees, under the arms and around the waistline.

If you do find a tick, don’t panic. Prompt removal can significantly reduce the risk of Lyme disease transmission. Using fine-tip tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Then clean the bite area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.

Pharmacist’s Tip: If you develop a rash—particularly one that looks like a bull’s-eye—or experience fever, fatigue, headache or muscle aches within several weeks of a tick bite, seek medical attention promptly. Early diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease can help prevent more serious complications.

For itchy mosquito bites, a cream containing baking soda—or even a simple baking soda paste made at home—can help soothe irritation.

5. Better Sleep While You’re Away

Have you ever noticed that you sleep poorly on vacation?

Travel, unfamiliar surroundings, later bedtimes, changes in time zones and disruptions to your normal routine can all interfere with your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. Even one poor night’s sleep can affect your mood, concentration, energy and reaction time the next day—making it harder to fully enjoy your holiday or safely drive home.

To help improve your sleep while travelling:

• Try to go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time each day.
• Limit caffeine, alcohol and sugary foods in the evening.
• Reduce screen time for at least an hour before bed.
• Keep your bedroom cool, dark and quiet whenever possible.

If you’re looking for a natural, non-drug option to improve sleep, consider NOW Sleep Regimen 3-in-1. It combines melatonin, 5-HTP and L-theanine to help you fall asleep, stay asleep and promote relaxation.  Unlike many over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids, it is non-habit forming and does not typically cause next-day grogginess.

Pharmacist’s Tip: Don’t underestimate the power of your sleep environment. A cool, dark, quiet room can make a significant difference in sleep quality. If you’re staying somewhere noisy or unfamiliar, consider packing earplugs, an eye mask or a white noise app.

Final Thoughts: Stay Healthy this August

Summer isn’t over yet, and neither are many of its most common health concerns. Whether you’re heading to the beach, relaxing at the cottage or taking one last family vacation, a little preparation can go a long way toward preventing problems before they start.

Enjoy the final weeks of summer, stay safe, and make the most of every sunny day