Stings, Bites, Scrapes & Burns: How to Treat Your Skin This Summer

At Dr. Angela Azar’s office, we see an uptick in these skin concerns every summer, and we’re here to help you treat them safely and effectively.

Whether you’re hiking through Long Island trails, relaxing on Fire Island, or just enjoying a backyard BBQ, here’s how to handle common summer skin mishaps:

Tick Bites

Spending time in wooded areas? Be tick-aware! Deer ticks in our area can transmit Lyme disease, which can become serious if not caught early.

What to do:

Remove the tick as soon as possible with clean tweezers.

Monitor the area for a bulls eye-shaped rash, which may appear 3–30 days later.

Other signs to watch: fatigue, fever, or joint pain.
At our office, we’ll assess any unusual symptoms and refer for appropriate blood work if needed.

Scrapes from Coral, Rocks, or Rough Play

Even a minor scrape can become infected if not properly treated, especially ones from beach rocks or corals.

What to do:

Wash with soap and water.

Apply Vaseline or an antibiotic ointment, and cover with a clean bandage.

Change the bandage daily.
If redness or drainage increases, come in we can evaluate it and prescribe treatment if needed.

Sunburn

We know even with SPF, sometimes sunburn happens. We see patients every week during summer struggling with burns after a long day outside.

 What to do:

Apply cool compresses and aloe vera.

Use ibuprofen and hydrocortisone cream to soothe the skin.

Avoid peeling or scratching.

 Pro tip: Schedule your annual skin check with us repeated sunburns can increase the risk of skin cancer.

Your Skin is Safe with Us

If your bite, burn, or scrape isn’t healing, gets worse, or you’re just unsure, don’t wait. Call our office to schedule a visit at our Great Neck or Jackson Heights location. Our team is here to make sure you get back to enjoying your summer, itch and burn free.