insect repellents

Several types of insect bites and stings can transmit infectious agents. Some cause only local injury, minor or serious. Avoiding exposure is the best way to prevent either occurrence.

3 Types of Problems

Local Skin Reaction

A local reaction at the site of the bite. This can range from mild redness, swelling and itching to a deep wound that may get infected.

The young girl depicted here, sustained a number of insect bites about her upper back. Note how these vesicular lesions resembled what was initially thought to be a case of chickenpox, caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). credit CDC/ K.L. Herrmann,public domain

Systemic Reaction

A systemic reaction means symptoms in multiple organs of the body. This could include nausea, vomiting, trouble breathing, dizziness, muscle aches, headache and anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reaction). Bee and wasp stings can cause both local and systemic reactions.Ticks cause alpha-gal syndrome an allergic reaction.

An Insect-Transmitted Infection

We worry most about this one (other than anaphylaxis.) Worldwide, this is the most serious consequence of insect bites, causing millions of illnesses and deaths. Malaria alone infects 200 million people, causing almost 500,000 deaths yearly.

Mosquito bites can transmit malaria; Zika , chikungunya, dengue, West Nile,and yellow fever viruses

Ticks-bites transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, ehrlichiosis, and tularemia.

This photograph depicted two, *Haemaphysalis longicornis* ticks, commonly known as the longhorned tick. The smaller of the two ticks on the left, was a nymph. The larger tick was an adult female. Males are rare. This tick can reproduce asexually. Note that the ticks had been placed atop a United States dime, in order to provide you with some sense of scale, as to the size of these small creatures. credit James Gathany/CDC
This image is in the public domain and thus free of any copyright restrictions

Preventing Insect Bites and Stings

wear long sleeve shirts and jackets
sleep under nets
be cautious when eating out of doors
remove sources of standing water
keep doors and windows closed, or install screens
apply insect repellents to skin or clothing

(This section contains several affiliate links. They are here for your convenience and to support this blog. However, they do not indicate endorsement or advice to use.)

DEET- N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide

best documented effectiveness against mosquitoes and also repels ticks, chiggers, fleas, gnats ,and flies.
Safe for children over 2 months old
Considered safe in pregnancy
Apply sunscreen first, then apply DEET

Ultrathon Insect Repellent 2 oz (Pack of 2)

Picaridin

Protects against mosquitoes, ticks, flies, fleas, and chiggers
Safe for children
Safe in pregnancy
Better tolerated than DEET

Avon SSS Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Aerosol Spray 4 Oz.

IR3535

Works against mosquitoes, deer ticks, flies
Safe in pregnancy

Avon SKIN-SO-SOFT Bug Guard PLUS IR3535® Insect Repellent Moisturizing Lotion – SPF 30 Gentle Breeze, 4 oz

Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus – p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD)

Repels mosquitoes, flies, gnats
Less effective than DEET for ticks
Not for children less than 3 years old
Safe in pregnancy

Coleman Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, Deet Free Insect Repellent Spray Pump, 4 fl oz

Permethrin

Repels and kills mosquitoes and ticks
Is applied to clothing, nets, tents and sleeping bags
No evidence of harm to children or in pregnancy

Coleman Gear and Clothing Permethrin Insect Repellent Aerosol, 6 Ounce

Citronella

Only effective against mosquitoes, not against ticks
Less effective than DEET

Essential oils

Limited and variable protection against mosquitoes
Obtained from clove, geraniol, patchouli

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Remember it’s Spring forward to Daylight Saving Time

Most of the United States changes to Daylight Saving Time on the second Sunday of March every year

So you will either be going to bed an hour later than usual, or awakening an hour earlier.

sleep

Either way, your body will tell the difference until your sleep cycle adjusts; I know mine always does. WebMD offers these tips to make the change easier.

If getting a good night’s sleep is a persistent problem for you, check out the information I shared in this post.

Expert advice to sleep well every night

We welcome the first day of Spring in the northern hemisphere, with the occurrence of the vernal equinox which occurs around March 20 every year.

This link to The Weather Channel explains what the vernal equinox means.

graphic of the earth explaining equinox and solstice — original source not known

With more hours of sunlight and warmer weather you may spend more time outdoors.While that may mean greater fitness from the physical activity, you will be at risk of several outdoor injuries. Be proactive and prevent warm weather ailments with these tips.

insect bites and stings

Protect yourself against mosquitoes and other insects.

5 insect repellents to keep you safe this summer

sun exposure

Protect your skin with sunscreen while you’re outside.

(These are affiliate links placed here for your convenience. This blog can earn a commission from sales from these links. This does not imply endorsement of these products.)

blisters and other wounds

Protecting your feet.

Whether walking, jogging, gardening, or sports, our feet can take a beating from outdoor activity.

You probably don’t worry much about blisters- until you get one. Then the pain can inhibit walking, or even wearing a shoe.

At worst, blisters can become chronic wounds, get infected, and threaten limbs in susceptible persons like those with diabetes or poor blood flow.

Ways to prevent blisters include-

Proper fitting shoes, not too tight or too loose
Breaking shoes in before activity likely to cause a blister, like running, dancing, long walks, sports
Wearing absorbent cushioned socks, perhaps 2 pair together
Applying protective padding over pressure points on the feet. Even plain paper tape can accomplish this, according to this study published in the New York Times.

I own and wear several pairs of Skechers sports shoes. (affiliate link)

environmental allergies

What to do about seasonal allergies

Often called “hay fever”, allergic rhinitis doesn’t cause a fever but it can make us miserable with its characteristic symptoms-

runny nose, sneezing, congestion

diagram of the nose and sinuses — Allergies commonly affect the nose, throat, sinuses, ears, and eyes.

scratchy, itchy, or tickly throat

cough

ear itching and pressure

watery, itchy, red eyes

Even those people who have these symptoms year round may have seasonal exacerbations, usually spring and fall.

Here is information about allergy management from the American College of Allergy to discuss with your doctor.

Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies, like other allergies, develop when the body’s immune system becomes sensitized and overreacts to something in the environment that typically causes no problem in most people.

exploring the HEART of health this spring

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Tag: insect repellents

Easy Tips to Avoid Insect Bites and Stings

3 Types of Problems

Local Skin Reaction

Systemic Reaction

An Insect-Transmitted Infection

Preventing Insect Bites and Stings