Because summer is approaching, it is a good time to review ways of preventing sunburn, tick and insect bites, and allergic reactions to plant exposures. If you’re one to enjoy the outdoors, …
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Because summer is approaching, it is a good time to review ways of preventing sunburn, tick and insect bites, and allergic reactions to plant exposures. If you’re one to enjoy the outdoors, make it a priority to pay attention to skin care.
Suntan and sunblock preparations
We know much about the effects of chronic sun exposure and skin cancers, resulting in a wide variety of sun-tanning lotions that claim to protect your skin. The differences between these products and their potential protection can be confusing.
Sunscreens work as a chemical sunscreen by filtering the sun’s rays, whereas sunblock works as a physical sunscreen by reflecting the sun rays. Both sunscreens and sunblocks offer good protection, though sunblocks may be undesirable cosmetically as most of these are opaque.
Tanning sunscreens usually have a SPF of four to eight and do not provide adequate sun protection, especially for children. Additionally, there are some dark tanning oils that do not contain any sunscreen ingredients and may even include tanning accelerators.
Recommended characteristics of an effective sunscreen
Other protections from sunburn
Avoiding bug bites, especially ticks
Deer ticks and Lyme disease
This spring promises to produce a bumper crop of nymphs. These nymphs cause most cases of Lyme/tick-borne infections, and they represent the greatest threat because of their near microscopic size. Once an infected tick attaches to a person, it takes a minimum of 24 hours before it can infect the host.
Agents for repelling and killing ticks
Of all the various insect repellents available, DEET has been the most effective at repelling ticks and other flying insects like mosquitoes. If you are planning to use this on kids, first consult with your family physician as to whether the sprays or wipes with DEET are appropriate.
DEET may work at repelling ticks, but experts recommend that if you are in an area with high tick populations you should also wear tick-repellent clothing treated with permethrin, which kills ticks after only five to 30 seconds of contact. You can buy commercially treated permethrin clothing that lasts up to 70 washings. If you treat your own clothing, it will last up to five washings. Do not spray permethrin directly on your skin.
Other tick prevention procedures
Wearing light-colors garments makes it easier to spot a tick crawling on you.
Ticks latch easier onto courser weaves, such as canvas material. Wear smoother, tightly woven fabrics instead.
Always check yourself, children and pets each day after coming inside. Use tick prevention medication recommended by your vet.
Tips for avoiding exposure to rash-causing plants
Learn what poison ivy, sumac or, oak looks like. Avoidance is always the best. Call your local garden or farm store or cooperative extension if you are unsure.
Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, socks and fully enclosed footware when walking in infested areas.
You might want to consider using a barrier cream as a prevention such as Ivy Block or Stokoguard. Creams that contain bentoquatam seem to be the most effective in slowing the absorption of the oil from poison ivy/oak/sumac (Urushiol)
Your pet coming in from the outside can bring in these oils on their fur.
Urushiol can remain potent for a long period of time – even years, if kept dry. If you know that a shovel or hand instrument has brushed poison ivy plants, wash them with warm soapy water. Clothing should also be washed out and dried outside for several days.
Gloves are always helpful if working in flowerbeds and fence rows.
About 15% of the population do not react to exposure to these types of plants.
If you have come in contact, wash exposed areas with soap and water as soon as possible.
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