Summer time is right here and so are our favourite out of doors actions. When spending time within the nice outside, it’s vital to take all the mandatory precautions, together with defending oneself from dangerous vegetation and bugs. Under, Nikki Pham, MD, a Household Drugs doctor with Dignity Well being Mercy Medical Group, shares recommendations on find out how to safely benefit from the outside this summer time.
Insect Security
Insect bites usually are not solely pesky, however can carry an infection and illness. Dr. Pham warns that sure insect bites can result in well being considerations if left untreated.
In line with the CDC, Lyme illness is usually at its highest transmission charges through the summer time months and is brought on by micro organism carried by way of tick bites. Ticks can connect to any a part of the human physique however are sometimes present in hard-to-see areas such because the groin, armpits, and scalp.
“The earlier the tick could be eliminated the higher,” says Dr. Pham. “The longer it’s connected, the upper the chance of contracting Lyme illness.”
Adults and youngsters with tick bites can usually be handled with a one-time dose of antibiotics inside 72 hours of the tick chunk to forestall Lyme illness from creating.
Early indicators of Lyme illness to be careful for embrace fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, swollen lymph nodes and a round rash on the web site of the tick chunk.
If you happen to occur to be bitten by a tick when you are touring or far out of your Dignity Well being doctor, you would possibly contemplate a digital go to. By video visits, your physician can digitally reply questions and even prescribe treatment, permitting you to get the care you want wherever you’re.
Thankfully, Lyme illness could be prevented by taking precautionary measures like avoiding wooded and brushy areas with excessive grass, spraying garments and equipment with bug spray containing 0.5% permethrin and inspecting your self, your clothes and your pets for the presence of ticks after being outside.
Plant Security
Poison oak is likely one of the most typical vegetation to trigger allergic reactions, in accordance with Dr. Pham. Others can embrace poison ivy and poison sumac, which might all trigger a pink, blistering rash that seems on the pores and skin inside just a few days of contact. The CDC has a visible information from the CDC to assist establish vegetation that ought to be averted.
If somebody suspects that they’re having an allergic response to a plant, Dr. Pham advises in search of medical care and washing the realm instantly. Remedies for publicity to toxic vegetation can embrace topically making use of calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream to scale back itching and blistering, along with over-the-counter treatment like Benadryl to assist relieve itching.