Just like everyone else in Nashua, our dental team is excited for the summer weather and the opportunities for spending time outdoors that come with it. Enjoying the outdoors does come with risks, however. Here’s how our dentists and staff are enjoying the Nashua summer weather safely.
Watch out for cyanobacteria in Nashua and New Hampshire
Every year the warm weather facilitates the growth cyanobacteria in the waters of New Hampshire. These bacteria release a toxin into the water that can make people and pets sick. Here are some ways our dental team stays safe from cyanobacteria:
- Check the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services’ map to see where there are cyanobacteria advisories in New Hampshire. At the time of this writing you can see that a Nashua swimming favorite, Robinson Pond in Hudson, is safe from cyanobacteria but Silver Lake in Hollis does have a cyanobacteria advisory.
- Heavy rain can increase the amount of cyanobacteria in the water so it might be best to avoid the water right after a storm.
- If the water looks or smells weird it’s best to avoid it.
- Pay close attention to signs near or on the beach, since they will inform you of any current advisories.
- Wash off as soon as possible after swimming.
Protecting against West Nile virus (WNV), Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), and Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV)
All three of these viruses are spread by mosquitoes, making the risk of spread particularly high in the summer when mosquitoes are most active. While at the time of this writing Nashua is not under any significant risk from these diseases, our dentists and other team members are still taking precautions against mosquitoes when they go outside.
- Follow all of the protective measures that the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recommends. This includes spraying yourself with a repellant containing DEET. Repellants that contain Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus have also shown some success at repelling mosquitoes.
- Look at the DHHS’ map that shows areas at risk of these viruses.
- Wear clothes that minimize skin exposure.
- Avoid going outside at dusk, night, or dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
Protect yourself from the sun
Let’s say you made it to a beach near Nashua that has no cyanobacteria advisory and you’re ready for a swim. Now you have to watch out for the sun as well. No amount of sunburn is considered safe, which is why our dental team recommends taking protective measures against UV radiation from the sun.
- Look for a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects you from UVA an UVB rays. Make sure that it’s at least SPF 50.
- Protect your skin and eyes with clothes and sunglasses when possible.
- UV rays are most damaging when the sun is the highest in the sky, this means that the time window from 11am to 2pm has an elevated risk.
Hopefully you found these tips helpful. As dental health professionals we’re also invested in our patient’s overall health and always wish the best for them.