We all look forward to Summer, the kids are out of school, there's so much fun to be had, whether just playing outside, picnicking, hiking, going to the beach, going fishing, the list is endless. The downside to Summer is ... the bugs ... and the sun's rays. The bugs are not only annoying but now carry so many diseases, and - of course - you don't want to get sunburned. Going red doesn't look so good and can be very painful. So, what to do?
To prevent sunburn, ALWAYS use a sunscreen/sunblock,
the greater the SPF, the better. The SPF tells you basically the protection it gives from UVB rays. An SPF15 blocks 93% of UVB rays and an SPF30 blocks 97%, an SPF50 blocks 98% and an SPF 100 blocks ALMOST all UB rays at 99%.
Many of us apply sunscreen incorrectly. They tell us to apply it liberally, yet many of us rub it in all the way. No, we should leave a layer of film on the skin, AND reapply at least every 2 hours.
UVB rays aren't the only baddie in the game, UVA rays are those that cause us the wrinkles and sunspots, not to mention some cancers, so really you need to check and make sure that you're also protected from them. Not only by using a sunscreen or block but also by taking other measures.
Sunscreen comes off as we sweat and by rubbing, plus - if your plans include being in the water - make sure that you choose a waterproof one.
And then we have the bugs! Every outdoor event is "bugged" (pun intended) by mosquitoes or ticks, and both have become carriers of many diseases, some of which have lifelong consequences.
The most serious tick-borne disease is Lyme Disease,
carried and spread by deer ticks (black-legged ticks). It can cause headaches and fever, tiredness and a rash that looks similar to a bull's eye. It's particularly dangerous because, if not recognized and treated quickly, it can lead to issues with the heart, joints and the nervous system.
Another is Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, with similar symptoms of headache, fever and a rash, but also gastro-intestinal and/or respiratory symptoms.
Lesser known are the two -osis diseases, Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis.
Who knew ticks could be more than just an inconvenience and cause lifelong health problems?
And then, of course, the much-hated mosquito. Thankfully we are not in Africa, where they carry malaria and sleeping sickness, although they carry some pretty nasty diseases here in the US also.
In the last few years, we've heard a lot about West Nile Virus. What makes it so scary is that it actually can kill people, so - definitely - prevention is better than cure. It has a nasty list of symptoms, fever, headaches, body aches, joint pains, vomiting and diarrhoea, and sometimes a rash. In the most severe cases it can cause neurological issues, and even death.
The Zika virus became more widely known of, in this time, as well.
It can cause microcephaly (where a baby's head is much smaller than expected) if a woman is infected when she is pregnant, and it was this fact that brought it to the attention of the media. The symptoms usually include rash, fever, joint pain and conjunctivitis.
The same mosquito (the Aedes mosquito) that carries the Zika virus also carries 2 other lesser-known-in-the-US viruses, Dengue Fever and Chikungunya, both of which cause fever and joint pain, but Dengue Fever also causes muscle aches, pain behind the eyes and even bleeding.
With all of these possible "nasties" it makes sense to protect yourself and your family as much as possible. ALWAYS use a mosquito and tick repellent when you are going to be enjoying outdoor activities.
