Getting Ready For Summer ------ Seiden Health Management Inc ------

Getting Ready For Summer

	1. Summer Check Up
	2. Allergies
	3. Skin Health - Skin Cancer
	4. Skin Health - Protection from the Sun
	5. Skin Health - Sun and Drugs
	6. Skin Health - Sunscreen
	7. Skin Health - Treatment for Sunburn
	8. Sunglasses
	9. Insects
	10. West Nile Virus
	11. Insect Repellants
	Printable Version of Getting Ready For Summer

Health Articles > Getting Ready For Summer

Getting Ready For Summer

Insects

It is surprising how few of the many thousands of species of spiders, insects, beetles and bugs that are found in Canada actually bite or sting people. We can be grateful for this. We can also be grateful that our arthropods are relatively small and gentle compared to those of some other lands. In Australia for example, there are killer spiders as big as golf balls that will chase a person.

However there are nasty insects out there, including mosquitoes, black flies, wasps, hornets and bees. Don’t let insect bites and stings spoil your summer fun.

Avoid Flying Insects

Stay away from beehives, wasp and hornet nests
Do not throw rocks or spray water at wasp, hornet or bees nests
Stay calm and move slowly when around stinging insects
Do not use perfumes or heavily scented products outdoors (perfumes, colognes, soaps, cosmetics)
Avoid swampy areas of the bush
Always wear long sleeved clothing, pants, shoes and socks in the bush
Insect repellents can repel mosquitoes and black flies (see below)

Treatment: Insect Bites and Stings

Insect stings and bites are usually minor, but some people experience more severe reactions, such as intense itching, redness, swelling and hives.

Stay calm. Remove yourself from the area where you got stung so you don’t get stung again
If stung by a bee, locate the site of the bite and remove the stinger (looks like a splinter) carefully with tweezers or the side of a credit card or knife. Do NOT squeeze the stinger, which is where the venom pump is located
Wash sting area with soap and water or alcohol wipes
If the bite or sting is painful, apply cold compresses (such as ice cubes in a washcloth)
Pain reliever such as Tylenol can reduce pain
Swelling and itch may be helped with calamine lotion, baking soda paste, topical steroids or antihistamines
People who have experienced severe reactions to insect stings (see below) should carry an Epipen, which contains epinephrine and can counteract severe allergic reactions. Talk to your doctor. It is important that both you and your family know how to use the Epipen.

NOTE: Allergy to insect stings, especially bee stings, can cause fatal anaphylactic reactions in some people. Call 911, if the bee stung person is experiencing severe symptoms following a sting such as: swollen face, lips, tongue and/or throat, has sudden feeling of doom or dread, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, problems speaking, generalized hives or faints.

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