Warm, sunny, summer weather is a great
motivator to get outside and enjoy some fun activities with your friends and
family. But make sure that you take adequate precautions to protect yourself from
insect bites and the side effects or serious diseases that they can cause.

For example, if you spend a lot of time
hiking, golfing or camping —or if your home is close to densely wooded areas,
parks, sports fields, or recreational areas—watch out for the ticks that can
cause Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by a bacterial infection transmitted
to people through a deer-tick bite. Deer ticks are extremely tiny—about the
size of a ballpoint pen tip. They can look like a freckle on your arm or leg.

For most people bitten by a deer tick,
the first warning sign of Lyme disease usually is a small red bump or a rash at
the site of the tick bite. Within a few weeks of being bitten, this rash can
develop into a large oval or bullseye-shaped ring. As the bacterial infection
spreads throughout the body, red rashes may appear on other areas of the skin.

Other symptoms of Lyme disease can appear
like the flu: headache, fever, fatigue, body aches, and joint stiffness. If
Lyme disease goes undetected and untreated, the bacterial infection spreads and
cause damage to the heart, brain, spinal cord, or nerves.

Doctors diagnose Lyme disease with a
simple blood test and a physical examination. In its earliest stages, Lyme
disease can be cured with short-term oral antibiotic therapy. The sooner you
receive medical care, the better your chances of successful treatment.

In addition to tick-borne illnesses,
spider bites and bee stings are another cause for concern in the warmer months.
In most cases, stings and bites can be treated at home. For people with
non-emergency symptoms such as pain, redness or swelling at the site of the
insect bite, try to remove the stinger (if you can see it) by scraping a
straight-edged object, such as a credit card, across the bite. Then wash the site
with soap and water, ice the affected area and, if needed, apply a baking-soda
paste or calamine lotion to relieve itching.

Some people are highly allergic to insect
bites and stings, and may experience symptoms that require immediate medical
assistance. These symptoms include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath,
hives, swelling on the face, tightening of the throat, or nausea and vomiting.
In these cases, call 911 or go to the emergency department at the nearest
hospital right away.

To protect yourself and your family from
bug bites, prevention is your best approach. When working or playing outside,
wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, closed shoes, and a hat. Tuck your pant
legs into your socks. Before coming inside, carefully inspect yourself, your
pets, and children for ticks. Avoid wearing perfume, and don’t provoke flying
insects that can sting. Use appropriate insect repellants, and be alert for
bees and wasps when eating outdoors, drinking sweetened beverages, or sitting
near garbage cans.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention has a comprehensive Web site
on Lyme disease and also has published a helpful
guide on Lyme disease.

* Joshua Feinberg,
D.O., is a family medicine physician in practice at the Crozer Health Pavilion, 145 Brinton Lake Road, Suite 201, Glen Mills, PA 19342,
610-459-1619.

About Crozer Keystone Staff

Crozer-Keystone Health System’s physicians, specialists and advanced practitioners are committed to improving the health of our community through patient-centered, quality care across a full continuum of health services. Crozer Brinton Lake is Crozer-Keystone’s comprehensive outpatient care facility in western Delaware County, offering primary care, specialty services, outpatient surgery and advanced cancer treatment. Contact us: 300 Evergreen Drive, Glen Mills, PA 19342 http://www.crozerkeystone.org/Brinton-Lake 1-855-254-7425

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