Last night I drove the back roads a little less traveled on my way home, and boy I am I glad I did. I saw one of the most magnificent sites-a field ablaze with lightning bugs. Not since childhood can I remember a time when I have seen such a healthy population of these mesmerizing creatures.
As I drove along reminiscing about all the fun I had chasing and catching lighting bugs as a child, the reality of my adulthood started disrupting the serenity of my memories as they played out in my mind. One was a recent memory of just a few weeks ago when I cared for a young man who appeared to have contracted Rocky Mountain spotted fever from several tick bites he suffered when he walked his dogs. As these memories collided, I thought this was a good time to discuss the abundance of other insects that are not as harmless or surreal as the lightning bug.
A mild winter and the recent abundance of rainfall have made a perfect environment for insects to multiply, and not all of them go around with lights blinking as they frolic in the fields. Mosquitoes and ticks present serious health hazards, so let’s discuss ways to protect yourself, what to do when bitten, and symptoms you need to take seriously.
Between the mosquito and the tick, hands down it’s the mosquito I despise the most. The mosquitoes fly around, take aim, and bam-bite you. Nothing can ruin a nice backyard outing or a pleasant evening chat like a mosquito. The probability of contracting the West Nile virus is very low, but it is worth taking precautions as well as lowering the personal nuisance effect of these pests. The tick is like a stealth bomber since you usually do not realize you have been bitten until after the fact. Proper handling and removal of ticks can greatly reduce your chances of contracting Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Of course, prevention is always the best policy. Luckily, the recommended repellents effective at repelling both mosquitoes and ticks are the same. Apply insect repellent with 20% DEET or greater on skin and clothing. Wear light-colored clothing which makes it easier to spot insects before they bite, and avoid yellow colors as they attract insects. When possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, and top it off with a hat to reduce skin exposure.
Perform tick checks before going indoors. Wash clothes with hot water, and dry them using high heat for at least an hour. Check your body and your family’s bodies after being outdoors- even in your own yard. Be sure to check all the obvious places but also include armpits, behind ears, and the groin area. Removing ticks early may reduce the risk of infection of some tick-borne disease.
How to safely remove a tick:
• Use fine-tipped tweezers and protect bare hands with a tissue or gloves to avoid contact with tick fluids. Grab the tick close to the skin.
• Do not twist of jerk the tick, as this may cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin.
• Gently pull straight up until all parts of the tick are removed.
• After removing the tick, wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Clean the tick bite with an antiseptic such as iodine scrub, rubbing alcohol, or soap and water.
Contact your healthcare provider if you develop fever, headache, fatigue, or rash.
Enjoy the outdoors this summer while you build memories to last a lifetime. Play it safe with repellents, protective barriers, and know your environment. A little preparation before you head out on your evening adventures will make for a more enjoyable time by all.
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please email me at: howard@howardsbaker.com
