The warmer weather brings us outdoors and also brings some unwanted “guests”.
Here are some helpful hints to protect against being bit or stung.

Mosquitoes and the West Nile Virus

Mosquito bites can make you itch and are not usually worrisome.  A bite by an infected mosquito can result in West Nile Virus.  The West Nile Virus is potentially serious, especially for the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.  It is more common in the summer and early fall. 

Here are some ways to protect yourself -

• Apply insect repellant.  Use a repellant that contains DEET to exposed skin.  Remember to read the product’s instructions before use.
• Wear long-sleeves, long pants and socks when spending time outdoors.
• Spray your clothing with an insect repellant that contains DEET.
• Mosquitos’ peak biting times are in the early morning and the early evening.  Take extra care during these hours.
• Get rid of standing water.  Discard flower pots, buckets or other items that can hold water.  Clean bird baths at least weekly.
• Screens should be well-fitting to windows and doors.  Consider installing and repairing screens if they have holes.

Protect others -
Report dead birds to local authorities, such as the local health department.  Dead birds may be a sign that West Nile Virus exists in your neighborhood.  Do not touch a dead bird with your bare hands.

Notify your primary care provider if develop flu-like symptoms, fever, skin rash and muscle weakness after a mosquito bite.

Ticks and Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) are common in the US. Both can result from a Tick bite.
Ticks are usually harmless, unless the tick is infected.  The tick that causes Lyme disease is the Black-legged Deer Tick.  It is the size of the head of a pin and usually lives on deer.  The American dog tick and the Rocky Mountain wood tick are the ticks that cause RMSF.

Here are some ways to protect yourself from ticks -

• Apply insect repellant.  Use a repellant that contains DEET to exposed skin.  Remember to read the product’s instructions before use.
• Ticks like wooded, areas with high grass and areas with lots of leaf litter.  Avoid these areas if possible. 
• If you are going to be in wooded areas, wear long-pants, long-sleeves and socks.  Tuck your clothing: pants into socks; shirts into pants.  This will help to keep ticks on the outside of clothing.
• Stay in the middle of trails to avoid contact with high grass, bushes and leaf litter.
• Ticks are most active in May, June and July.  Take extra care during these months.
• Remove outer clothing before coming indoors.
• Check yourself daily for the presence of ticks.
• If you find a tick, remove it using tweezers. Dispose of the tick in a plastic bag.
• Cleanse the area where the tick was with an antiseptic.

Remember -
Generally, a tick needs to be on the skin for about 36 hours or more for it to spread Lyme disease or RMSF.

Notify your primary care provider if develop a fever, nausea, muscle aches, headache, loss of appetite and/or a rash after a tick bite.

Bee Stings

For most of us being stung by a bee, wasp or yellow jacket is unpleasant.  Sometimes a bee, wasp or yellow-jacket sting can be much more hazardous.

Here are some ways to prevent being stung -

• Avoid wearing light-colored clothing.
• Avoid using scented soaps and perfumes.
• Don’t leave food and drink uncovered and garbage out.

If you get stung –

• Scrape the stinger with a side-to-side motion using your fingernail or blunt object like a credit card.  Once it is removed, wash the area with soap and water.  Do that several times a day until the skin heals.
• To help with the pain, apply a cold compress.  A paste made of baking soda and water applied for 15-20 minutes often will help.  Consider taking an over-the-counter pain medication.

Seek medical help if -

• You are stung on the nose or mouth.
• If you have a large area of swelling, abnormal breathing, tightness in your throat or chest, experience dizziness, faint or develop hives.

If you have a known allergy to stings,
talk to your primary care provider about an Epi-pen®.

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