Princess Health and Prevention is the key to surviving tick season in Kentucky, which runs through August; here are some tips. Princessiccia

Princess Health and Prevention is the key to surviving tick season in Kentucky, which runs through August; here are some tips. Princessiccia

insects Lyme disease skin care. insects ticks

Gusty 07:45 Add Comment

By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News

With outdoor summer activities in full swing, it's important to remember that tick season, which runs from mid-March through August in Kentucky, is upon us.

American dog tick

Ticks hang out in tall grass, woods, low-hanging tree limbs and weeds just waiting to attach themselves to you or your pets to "feed," a polite way to say they want to suck some blood. And while that is reason enough to avoid them, the real problem is that ticks can carry potentially life-threatening infections, like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Erlichiosis.

"The most prevalent tick-borne disease in Kentucky is and has been for a long time Rocky Mountain spotted fever," or RMSF, Grayson Brown, director of the University of Kentucky Public Health Entomology Laboratory, told Kentucky Health News. "We get somewhere between 10 and 30 cases of that a year."

RMSF is transmitted by the American dog tick, which is about the size of a pencil eraser. It is the second most common tick in the state, according to Kentucky Pest News. The greatest risk of getting RMSF in Kentucky is in the western part of the state, near the Land Between the Lakes, said Brown.

RMSF usually begins with a sudden onset of fever and headache that appear from two to 14 days after being bitten by an infected tick. Other symptoms can include nausea, muscle pain, lack of appetite and a rash that occurs two to five days after the fever. RMSF can be fatal in the first eight days of symptoms if not treated correctly, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Lone Star Tick, all images Wikipedia

Kentucky's most common tick is an aggressive biter called the lone star tick, which is also about the size of a pencil eraser, says Kentucky Pest News.

The saliva from this tick can produces painful, itchy areas that can become infected from scratching. It can transmit Erlichiosis, a Lyme-like disease that can cause fever, headache, chills, muscle pain and in some cases a rash. These symptoms usually show up one to two weeks after being bitten by an infected tick. It can also transmit RMSF.

And though it is not very common, Kentucky is also home to the blacklegged tick, which is known to transmit Lyme disease. This tick is much smaller than the other two more common ones.

"The number of Lyme disease cases is increasing quite rapidly, with 13 or so last year that were reported," Brown said. "The blacklegged tick is found most commonly around rivers and so the river areas, along the Ohio River, the Kentucky River . . . that is where the biggest risk is going to be.

Black-legged Tick

Symptoms of Lyme disease can range from mild to severe and include fever, headache, fatigue and a skin rash that looks like a bull's-eye, although not everyone has this rash, says the CDC. If left untreated, the infection can spread to joints, the heart or the nervous system. Lyme disease is most prevalent in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Upper Midwestern states, so be mindful if you travel.

Infection from these diseases is unlikely in Kentucky because very few ticks in the state are infected with their respective diseases. And even if the ticks are infected, they must be attached and feeding for at least 12 to 24 hours to transmit its infection, says Kentucky Pest News. This makes self-inspection and prompt removal of ticks an important line of defense against these diseases.

Getting a tick borne disease in Kentucky "is something like the risk of getting struck by lightning," Brown said.

The best way to avoid being bitten by ticks is to use "common sense precautions," Brown said. Here are some tips:

• Keep grass and shrubs trimmed, and clear away any overgrown vegetation in your yard;
• Don't walk through uncut fields, brush and overgrown areas;
• Walk in the center of hiking trails;
• Wear light-colored clothing, which make it easier to spot ticks;
• Wear long pants tucked into boots or socks and tuck your shirt into your pants;
• Place a band of duct tape, sticky side out, around your lower legs to trap ticks;
• Use tick repellent that has DEET or picaridin in it or use permethrin-based clothing sprays;
• Do a body and clothing check at the end of each day;
• Take a warm soapy shower after potential exposure;
• Check your pets.

It is also important to promptly and properly remove ticks by grasping them as close to the skin as possible with tweezers and then pulling straight out with gentle, even pressure. Multiple sources say to not use petroleum jelly, gasoline, hot matches or other "folk" methods to remove ticks. Once removed, wash the bite area, apply antiseptic and cover with a Band-Aid.

The CDC has recommended washing tick-infested clothes and then drying them for one hour, but new research, published online in the journal Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, says putting dry, tick-infected clothes in a hot dryer and spinning them for six minutes will kill them, Ann Lukits reports for The Wall Street Journal.

Brown said May is the month when you are most likely to encounter "pathogen-bearing ticks," but you can still get infected at other times. Tick season generally runs through August

He also noted that tick-borne diseases primarily occur in rural settings because wildlife, especially deer, often covered in ticks, and field mice, because ticks can transmit diseases to them and then the infected mice can infect other ticks as they feed.

"So if you are really worried about those things," Brown said, "pay attention to the wildlife that you have or that you attract to your property."

Princess Health and Obama asks public to tell Congress to fund the $1.9 billion Zika fight he wants; Senate passed $1.1 billion, House $622 million. Princessiccia

Princess Health and Obama asks public to tell Congress to fund the $1.9 billion Zika fight he wants; Senate passed $1.1 billion, House $622 million. Princessiccia

birth defects Congress federal spending infectious diseases insects mosquitoes politics research vaccines viral infections

Gusty 12:14 Add Comment

The Zika funding package of Appropriations Committee Chair Hal Rogers and other House Republicans "doesn't make a lot of sense" and the somewhat larger Senate package backed by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and a bipartisan Senate majority falls well short of what is needed, President Obama told reporters Friday.

The Senate has passed a $1.1 billion package and the House approved $622 million. Obama wants more than three times the House figure, $1.9 billion, to fight the virus that causes a serious birth defect.

"We didn�t just choose the $1.9 billion from the top of our heads," Obama said. "This was based on public-health assessments of all the work that needs to be done. And to the extent that we want to be able to feel safe and secure, and families who are of childbearing years want to feel as if they can have confidence that when they travel, when they want to start a family that this is not an issue -- to the extent that that's something that we think is important, then this is a pretty modest investment for us to get those assurances."

Obama said the House package is not only inadequate, "That money is taken from the fund that we're currently using to continue to monitor and fight against Ebola. So, effectively, there�s no new money there. All that the House has done is said, you can rob Peter to pay Paul. And given that I have, at least, pretty vivid memories of how concerned people were about Ebola, the notion that we would stop monitoring as effectively and dealing with Ebola in order to deal with Zika doesn�t make a lot of sense."

The president added, "This is something that is solvable. It is not something that we have to panic about, but it is something we have to take seriously. And if we make a modest investment on the front end, then this is going to be a problem that we don't have to deal with on the back end." He said each child who has a small brain as a result of Zika "may end up costing up to $10 million over the lifetime of that child in terms of that family providing that child the support that they need. . . .  It doesn�t take a lot of cases for you to get to $1.9 billion. Why wouldn't we want to make that investment now?"

Part of the money would go to develop a vaccine for Zika, and part of that work is going on at the University of Kentucky. "You don't get a vaccine overnight," Obama said. "You have to test it to make sure that any potential vaccine is safe. Then you have to test to make sure that it's effective. You have to conduct trials where you're testing it on a large enough bunch of people that you can make scientific determinations that it's effective. So we've got to get moving."

Obama said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health are "taking pots of money from other things -- universal flu funds or Ebola funds or other funds -- just to get the thing rolling. But we have to reimburse those pots of money that have already been depleted and we have to be able to sustain the work that�s going to need to be done to finish the job. So, bottom line is, Congress . . . needs to get me a bill that has sufficient funds to do the job."

The president said that should happen before the summer congressional recess in August, "to provide confidence to the American people that we're handling this piece of business." He said the money would be insurance for young families or couples thinking about having children.

"To the extent that we're not handling this thing on the front end, we're going to have bigger problems on the back end," Obama said. "Tell your members of Congress, get on the job on this. This is something we can handle. We should have confidence in our ability to take care of it. We've got outstanding scientists and researchers who are in the process of getting this done, but they�ve got to have the support from the public in order for us to accomplish our goal."

Princess Health and Tips on how to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Tips on how to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes.Princessiccia

insects mosquitoes skin care

Gusty 09:31 Add Comment

By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News

Spending time outdoors is one of the great pleasures of summer. Unfortunately, this is also the active season for the 50 mosquito species that call Kentucky home. These mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance; some carry disease, making it important to protect yourself from them.

Photo from cdc.gov

Chikungunya is the latest mosquito-born virus transmitted in the U.S., although most cases in the U.S. are still caused by infections acquired from travel to the Caribbean, South America or the Pacific Islands, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is rarely fatal, but commonly causes fever, severe joint pain and other symptoms.

Kentucky had 17 confirmed cases of Chikungunya last year as well as eight probable ones, all in residents who had traveled recently to the Caribbean. and none of the cases were fatal. The state also had three confirmed cases of other mosquito-borne illnesses in 2014, including two dengue fever cases and one West Nile case, according to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Repellents

Insect repellents are your best guard against mosquitoes.

Four products have been registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use as mosquito repellents: DEET (diethyltoluamide), picaridin, IR3535, and some oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products.

Consumer Reports tested 15 products that represented each of these recommended repellents by spraying the products on the forearms of the testers, waiting 30 minutes, exposing their forearms to mosquitoes and ticks, and then measuring the number of bites every hour.

Based on this experiment, the magazine recommended Sawyer Fisherman's Formula (20 percent picardin) and Repel Lemon Eucalyptus (30 percent oil of lemon eucalyptus) as its first and second choice for repellents.

"It was the first time in the history of Consumer Reports testing insect repellents that the non-DEET formulations did better than the deet products," Sue Byrne, the magazine's senior editor of health and food, told Darla Carter of The Courier-Journal.

These products were followed by Repel Scented Family (15 percent DEET); Natrapel 8 Hour ( 20 percent picardin); and Off! Deepwoods VII (25 percent DEET).

Read the Labels

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration strongly recommends that you read the labels of all insect repellents before use and then use them as instructed, paying careful attention to the age limitations and precautions.

"As long as you read and follow label directions and take proper precautions, insect repellents with active ingredients registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency do not present health or safety concerns," according to the FDA website.

Multiple sources say it is also important to not use combination products that contain both sunscreen and insect repellent. Sunscreen is meant to be applied often, while insect repellent is meant to be used sparingly.

High doses of DEET have been known to cause rashes, disorientation and seizures, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

The FDA also notes that concentrations of any of the active ingredients above 50 percent "generally do not increase protection time" and that products with less than 10 percent of the active ingredient "offer only limited protection, about one or two hours."

Insect repellents and children

Adults should always apply insect repellents for children, making sure they don't get any on their hands, around their eyes, on any cuts or irritated skin. Spray repellents should always be applied outdoors, to avoid inhaling them.

The FDA recommends that DEET not be used on children under 2 months of age and that oil of lemon eucalyptus products not be used on children under 3 years old.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that products with more than 30 percent DEET not be used on children, and that you use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin. It also recommends immediately washing off the repellent, and washing any clothes worn while exposed to the repellent, before wearing them again.

KidsHealth recommends that if you use DEET products on children, you should adjust the concentration of product by the number of hours your kids will be outside, using a lower concentration if they are only out for an hour or two and a higher concentration, which will last longer, if they will be out longer.

Non-repellent protections

In addition to advice on repellents, the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment's Entomology Department website offers these suggestions to avoid mosquitoes:

• Minimize the standing water around your house; this is where mosquitoes breed.
• Use larvicides if it is impractical to eliminate a breeding site.
• Remove tall weeds and overgrowth in your yard; mosquitoes like to rest here during the day
• Keep windows, doors and porches tightly sealed and keep your screens in good repair.
• Stay indoors during the evening hours.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors.

UK Entomology says most devices that claim to attract, repel or kill mosquitoes don't work, or are unproven. It says "bug zappers" kill only a small percentage of mosquitoes, and studies have found that portable electronic devices using high-frequency ultrasonic sound are "of negligible benefit in deterring mosquitoes and reducing bites." The website does say that citronella oil offers "a degree of protection," but you need multiple candles to be effective.

Princess Health and Don't get burned, bitten or bamboozled this summer; here are safety tips for dealing with the sun, insects and sales pitches.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Don't get burned, bitten or bamboozled this summer; here are safety tips for dealing with the sun, insects and sales pitches.Princessiccia

cancer children children's health insects public safety safety skin cancer skin care sunscreen

Gusty 12:35 Add Comment

By Molly Burchett
Kentucky Health News

Summer is finally here, and after one of the coldest Kentucky springs, who doesn't want to be outside swimming, skiing, fishing, barbecuing or soaking up rays on the beach? While summer may bring much-anticipated fun in the sun, it's important to take some  safety precautions to make sure you and your family are not getting too much of a good thing.

Sunscreen can protect you from cancer, but don't spray it

The sun is bad for your skin, and exposure to its harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can increase your risk for skin cancer, which is the most common cancer in the U.S., says the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's critical to protect yourself and your children from sun damage because just one blistering sunburn in childhood more than doubles the odds of developing skin cancer later in life, says the Mayo Clinic.

Fortunately, it�s never too late or too early to lessen your risk of sun damage by using sunscreen, and the Environmental Working Group has recently released its 2013 Guide to Sunscreens, which rates more than 1,400 sunscreens, lip balms, and SPF moisturizers and cosmetics for safety and effectiveness.

This year, EWG says 184 sunscreens, 25 percent of those on the market, met its criteria of offering adequate UV protection and posing few safety concerns. You can click here to view that product list, or here to check out the EWG findings for moisturizers, lip balm and makeup.

EWG also created a somewhat surprising list of things NOT to bring on vacation because they are unsafe or do not provide adequate UV protection:

• Spray sunscreen: These sprays may pose serious inhalation risks, and they make it too easy to not apply enough sunscreen or to miss a spot.
• High-SPF sunscreens: These products may tempt people to stay in the sun too long, which can increase the risk of other kinds of skin damage, and EWG recommends that consumers avoid products labeled higher than SPF 50.
• Oxybenzone: Used in half of sunscreen products, this chemical penetrates the skin and can adversely impact health in several ways; in the body, it acts like the female hormone estrogen and can cause allregic reactions.
• Loose powder sunscreen: Tiny zinc particles in these products can also end up in your lungs when you breathe them in during application, which irritates the lungs.
• Retinyl palmitate: Some sunscreens contain this chemical, which is a form of vitamin A, but when applied to sun-exposed skin, it may speed development of skin tumors and lesions.
• Combined sunscreen/bug repellents: Studies show this combination leads to increased skin absorption of the repellent ingredients.
• Sunscreen towelettes: Whether they really work is unknown.
• Tanning oils: They are simply a bad idea and can ultimately lead to behavior that increases risk of developing skin cancer.

So, check the ingredients for your sunscreen, avoid high-SPF's or sprays and make it a habit to wear sunscreen during sports or whenever you're outside. Be sure to reapply often to ensure UV protection, particularly if you get wet or sweaty. Click here to read EWG's "Nine Surprising Facts about Sunscreen."

Hats and clothing: Choose the right kind

Children are more vulnerable to sun damage, so in addition to actual sunscreen, the best sun protections for them are a hat and shirt (which also protect adults). The CDC recommends avoiding straw hats that let sun through the holes, and to wear a hat with UV protection or a wide brim to shield the face, head, ear and neck. If you do chose to wear a baseball cap, protect your ears and neck with clothing, sunscreen (with at least SPF 15) or spend lots of time in shade.

Wear clothing to protect exposed skin. The CDC says loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and long pants made from tightly woven fabric offer the best UV protection. Darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors, and a wet t-shirt offers much less UV protection that a dry one.

Sunburn treatment: People with fair skin or light-colored hair are more likely to be sunburned. If you get sunburned, remember that "The skin heals but is forever damaged," writes University of Kentucky nursing Professor Mollie Aheshire. "The more frequent and more severe the burns, the more damage there is," along with risk for cancer and premature aging. "If a sunburn is blistering and covers a large portion of your body; is accompanied by a high fever, extreme pain, confusion, nausea or chills; or does not respond to at-home treatment within a few days . . . see a health-care provider." Mild sunburns can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, cold compresses and moisturizing creams � aloe vera or hydrocortisone lotions. "If blisters form, do not break them," Aheshire writes. "Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Treat peeling skin gently. Stay out of the sun until redness and pain resolve." (Read more)

Sunglasses: Not just to help you see now, but to keep you seeing longer

Besides being dangerous for your skin, UV rays are dangerous to your eyes and can cause vision disorders, premature aging of the eyes or even blindness. It is important to wear sunglasses to protect eyes from sun damage, although a new survey from the American Optometric Association shows that only 40 percent of consumers cite this protection as the primary reason for wearing sunglasses, says a Kentucky Optometric Association press release.

To help reduce the risks of harmful UV exposure on the eyes, children and adults should start wearing protective sunglasses as as early as possible, and parents should ensure that babies are protected by sunglasses too, says the release. When choosing sunglasses or protective contact lenses, make sure that they block more than 95 percent of UV-A and more than 99 percent of UV-B radiation, says the KOA, and sunglasses should have a frame that fits close to the eyes so the UV rays can't sneak around the sides.

Insect repellent: Bugs can bug you, but don't over-react to them

Although nothing can ruin a relaxing summer picnic faster than bugs, take precautions to ensure you're using the right type of bug repellent-- one that's been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency -- and that you're using it wisely.

Not only are bugs annoying, they can also carry dangerous diseases, and for the safe and effective use bug repellents, always read the product label before using the product, EPA says. It says to follow these bug-repellent safety tips:

• Repellents should be applied only to exposed skin and/or clothing. Do not use them under clothing.
• Store insect repellents safely out of the reach of children.
• Do not apply near eyes and mouth, and be use sparingly around the ears.
• When using sprays, spray on the hands first and then apply to the face, not directly to the face.
• Never use repellents over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
• Do not spray in enclosed areas and avoid spraying near food.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin and clothes with soap and water.
• Do not use any product on pets or other animals
• Most insect repellents do not work on lice or fleas. 
• Click here to search for a repellent that's right for you.

Beware if you want to use a wearable repellent that's not sticky and has to be continuously resprayed, such as Off!'s clip-on mosquito repellent. It works once the cloud of mosquito protection is built around the wearer, says Brighid Moret of The Washington Times, but it's not a good option for an active or young child. The manufacturer warns on the label that a chemical on the product's enclosed disk is harmful if swallowed, directly inhaled or absorbed through the skin, and young children should not wear it.

Whether you're going on vacation or a "stay-cation," these tips can help protect you and your family from the sun and bugs in order to safely make the most of your summer. Click here for more sun safety tips from EWG.