Is urgent care popular in the summer? Learn the most common reasons people check into our Mooresville clinic & ways you can stay healthy. 

Exploring the petting zoo at Lazy 5 Ranch, backyard games of cornhole, or perusing goods at Josh’s Farmer’s Market is what summer in Mooresville is all about. But with all the fun also comes a rise in seasonal health concerns. At AFC Mooresville, we see a large increase of patients during the warmer months, and certain issues come up again and again. 

Here are five of the most common reasons we see people at our clinic, and ways you can keep from being one of them. 

Visit AFC Mooresville today.  

1. Heat Rash and Sunburn

With North Carolina’s hot, humid summers, heat-related skin issues are pretty common, especially for people who work outdoors or spend hours in the sun. 

Heat Rash: 

Appears after perspiration has been trapped under the skin from blocked sweat ducts. Although heat rash is more common in young children, anyone could suffer from it after spending extensive time in the heat. 

• Symptoms: Tiny bubbles or red dots/pimples often on the neck, chest, back, and underarms. 
• Prevention: Can usually be avoided by wearing loose-fitting cotton clothing and keeping skin dry. 
• When to seek medical help: Heat rash usually resolves after a few days, but if the rash is significantly itchy, painful, swollen, or leaking fluid, stop by AFC.  

Sunburn: 

Occurs after your skin has absorbed too much sun. Sunburn is a reaction to UV (ultraviolet) radiation that has damaged your skin cell’s DNA. While light skin tones are more susceptible to sunburn, any skin type can be damaged by the sun. Sunburns can also increase your risk of melanoma, a dangerous skin cancer. 

• Symptoms: Your immune system sends blood to the damaged area, causing that red, swollen, painful, and itchy skin we know all too well.  
• Prevention: Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen, wear protective hats, sunglasses, lightweight breathable clothing, and schedule activities around peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). 
• When to visit AFC: If your sunburn does not fade after a few days, it becomes severely painful, or begins to blister. 

2. Food Poisoning and Gastroenteritis

Summer is cookout season in Mooresville, but all that outdoor eating can come with a side of food poisoning if you’re not careful. Bacteria thrive in warm environments, so that hot dog that’s been sitting in the sun too long is the perfect host.  

• Symptoms: Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and dizziness. 
• Prevention: Outdoor conditions may lack proper refrigeration or sanitary prep spaces, so bring coolers and portable fridges. Wash hands and cooking utensils often and throw away food that’s been sitting out.  
• When to check into urgent care: Most cases are mild, but if symptoms last more than a few days or get worse, come see us. 

3. Swimmer’s Ear

A day on Lake Norman or at the pool is a classic summer activity, but water in your ear can lead to infection. Swimmer’s ear is a bacterial infection that is brought on by water trapped in your ear canal. This can especially occur if the ear has an open wound, a scrape from a Q-tip, or a cut from your fingernail.  

• Symptoms: Itching, ear pain, drainage, muffled hearing, and sometimes fever. 
• Prevention: Drain water from your ear after swimming or bathing, use water ear plugs or swimming caps, and avoid swimming in highly contaminated waters. Steer clear of cotton swabs and scratching your ears because both can cause micro-tears. 
• See AFC: It won’t typically go away without treatment and usually requires prescription ear drops. Visit us as soon as you begin to feel off.  

4. Sports Injuries

From hiking and paddleboarding to kids’ summer camps and adult leagues, summer brings an increase in activity and a higher chance of injury. 

• Our clinic typically treats: sprains, strains, fractures, breaks, and cuts. AFC Mooresville has on-site digital X-rays available to all our patients.  
• Prevention: When needed, wear protective gear (like helmets or kneepads), don’t skip the warm-ups, and always know your limitations. 

5. Insect Bites and Allergic Reactions

Spending time outdoors in Mooresville often means dealing with mosquitoes, ticks, and sometimes exposure to plants like poison ivy. 

• Mosquito bite symptoms: Swelling, hives, and itchy red or irritated skin.  
• Poison ivy and oak: Itchy blisters and rashes.  
• Tick bites: Flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, fever, chills, and muscle aches. 
• Prevention: Use insect repellent, wear long sleeves when hiking, and know how to identify irritating plants.  
• Visit urgent care if: Symptoms worsen, you’re unsure what caused the reaction, or you have trouble breathing or feel dizzy. 

Wrapping it Up 

Whether you’re nursing a sunburn, recovering from a rolled ankle, or unsure if that rash is bug-related, we’re here to help you feel better fast. At AFC Mooresville, we’re open seven days a week with extended hours and no appointment necessary. 

Enjoy every minute of summer in Mooresville, remember we’re for you if something goes off course.