Health Tips
Tips for Dealing with Summer Bugs
By
May 18, 2009 - 12:58:31 PM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Summer will soon be here and that means warm breezes, barbeques –and an array of bugs. You're going to get bitten, no matter what you do. Bugs have been here longer than we have and they know how to find us. However, there are some precautions to take to reduce the likelihood of a bite or sting and there are some common treatments. First of all, for people with known allergies, make sure your epinephrine pen is not expired.

Something many people fail to realize is that when we travel we may be going into areas with different types of pests, some of which may be more dangerous than what we're used to in our hometowns.

If you're camping in the Southwest, for instance, there are scorpions out there; check boots and shoes for insects and shake them out before putting them back on. Research indigenous creatures you may need to be wary of before the trip.

In New York State, our most pervasive pests are mosquitoes, bees or wasps and spiders. As a preventive measure, only use insect repellents according to their instructions and on the age group for which they're designed. People need to be especially careful with children as they usually put more on than they need.

Also, periodically check under outdoor furniture and other protected areas for bee and wasp habitats, and never put your hand where you can't see where your fingers are going. Places you can't see are great for bees and wasps. Similarly, watch your drink can openings as the sugar attracts bugs and they may crawl in when you aren't looking, resulting in a sting in the mouth.

When the inevitable bites and stings happen, try the following:

Stay calm. Panic or running will increase the spread of venom through the body.
Lower and ice the area.
Apply an over-the-counter steroidal cream to reduce itch and inflammation.
Take an ibuprofen product to reduce inflammation, only if it is safe for you (check with your doctor if unsure).

Take Benadryl to reduce the itching. This will work fast but make you drowsy. If that's a problem, take a non-drowsy antihistamine.
Spider bites are usually redder, hurt more and cause more skin changes. If you suspect a spider bite, see your doctor.

Among the worst threats from a bug is Lyme Disease; the bacteria that causes it is carried by the deer tick. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), New York had 4,460 reported cases of Lyme Disease in 2006, the highest number of any state in the U.S. The CDC sites typical symptoms as fever, headache, fatigue and a characteristic skin rash.

Stay on trails in wooded areas and don't veer into the more dense foliage or lean against a tree; use an insect repellent that states it works for ticks and apply it to clothing, socks and boots as well as the skin.

After a day in the woods, use the buddy system to inspect each other for ticks. When attached, the ticks start small and are easier to remove early; there are simple-to-use tick removal kits available at camping supply stores. Do not use a flame! This carries with it the obvious danger of getting burned.

Since symptoms of Lyme Disease may take weeks to develop, see your doctor if you develop a rash or any of the symptoms even six to eight weeks after you've been in the woods or found a tick on you.


Mark Cohen, M.D. is board certified in both internal medicine and pediatrics. www.lifetimehealth.org.

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