Summer can alleviate dry skin but has its own skin challenges—mosquitoes, wasps and bees, swimmers itch and the sun itself can all cause pain and even damage to our protective outer layer. Here is a refresher course on the problems and solutions.
PROBLEM: Ticks
Summer can alleviate dry skin but has its own skin challenges—mosquitoes, wasps and bees, swimmers itch and the sun itself can all cause pain and even damage to our protective outer layer. Here is a refresher course on the problems and solutions.
Last winter’s warm temperatures followed by an equally mellow and early spring have jumpstarted the outdoor season by several weeks. Flowers are blooming, trees are blooming and wood ticks are…well they aren’t blooming, but they are running way ahead of schedule and experts are predicting larger-than- usual numbers this year.
Woods are not the only place to pick up these tiny hitchhikers—long grasses, weedy areas and even backyards can sustain tick populations. What’s the big deal with Lyme’s disease? When ticks infected with the bacterium bite a human, the disease is transmitted through the blood. Left untreated, Lyme’s disease spreads throughout the body and can cause a large and diverse number of symptoms. In addition to a tell- tale ‘bulls-eye’ rash, people often experience flu-like symptoms of fever, aches and chills. Left untreated, the disease can cause pain and swelling of joints, meningitis, Bell’s palsy and muscle weakness.
When treated early with antibiotics, nearly all patients make a quick and complete recovery. The problem is, the bulls-eye rash only presents on about 20% of infected individuals, making diagnosis a bit trickier. Still, blood tests can positively identify the bacterium responsible for Lyme’s disease. If your child becomes ill and you suspect that she might have been bitten by a tick, call your pediatrician right away.
PROBLEM: Mosquito Bites
It is tempting to think of mosquito bites as minor irritations but the insects spread disease in the temperate zone just like they spread malaria in the tropics. Equine Encephalitis is but one of the very serious diseases that mosquitoes transmit to people in our region.
And it should be remembered that some people have a stronger sensitivity to the anti-coagulant that mosquitoes inject into the skin and therefore have a greater degree of swelling and itching.
Another problem for small children is their slow reaction time: by the time they have processed that something is hurting them the mosquito will have had time to bite two or three times. Infants, toddlers and even pre-schoolers are ill-equipped to protect themselves and need our help.
SOLUTION for Ticks and Mosquitoes
The use of insect repellents has become a somewhat heated topic but the fact is products containing the active ingredient DEET are deemed safe in concentrations of 5% to 50%. The lower concentrations are as effective as higher ones but only last 11⁄2 to 2 hours, and must be applied more frequently. DEET is safe for children over the age of 2 months, although PYAM doctors prefer the 5% concentration for infants.
PROBLEM: Sunburn
At this point in time everyone is aware of the dangers of sunburn—the painful burns that occur during and after over-exposure to the sun—as well as the long-term damage that can lead to skin cancers.
But in spite of this, every year, urgent care clinics and emergency rooms treat people for sunburns that could have been prevented. Perhaps the problem isn’t lack of knowledge but lack of preparedness.
Keep a bag or box of preventative supplies in the family car at all times, then when you head for the beach or park, or attend an outdoor event you already have the things you need to keep everyone’s skin safe.
Kit Should Include:
- Tubes, bottles, jars of sunscreen (make sure some is for use while swimming and reapply frequently during water play.
- Hats, visors and sunglasses
- Extra tee shirts, loose-fitting and light- colored • If you bring a cooler add some ice packs.
SOLUTION for Sunburn
- Take an anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) avoid aspirin in children under the age of 12
- Use cold compresses on the burns or take cool baths or showers.
- Drink fluids
- Don’t break blisters that form
- Keep using moisturizersSee your doctor if the sunburn:
- Is blistering and covers a large portion of the body
- Is accompanied by a high fever, extreme pain,headache, confusion, nausea or chills
- Doesn’t respond to at-home care in a few days.
PROBLEM: Wasp and Bee Stings
Every mom knows the blood-curdling scream that tells her one of her brood has found the wrong end of a bee or wasp. This can be tough to prevent since no matter where you live, these stinging insects will be around. Teach young children to avoid bees and wasps and not to swat at them. No matter what, though, most kids get stung occasionally, so here’s what to do:
SOLUTION for Wasp and Bee Stings
- Check to see if the stinger is still imbedded. If it is, flick it out using a credit card
- Wash the sting area with soap and water
- Apply cold compresses to relieve pain and ease swelling
- Apply a paste of baking soda and water onto the sting site
When to see a doctor:
- Call your doctor if a small child is stung multiple times.
- Seek emergency assistance if the child has swelling of the tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing
- Call your doctor if the sting site becomes infected