How to Remove a Tick From Skin — powered by eHow.com

I was super grossed out during the past two weeks.  Both Mallory and I had a tick.   Oddly enough, both were on our backs!  I managed to stay calm (even though I hate any type of bug) and Mal was cool with the removal (it helped that it was on her back and she couldn’t really see what I was doing).   However, I really have something against parasites.  It’s probably one of my only phobias.  However, with summer right around the corner, ’tis the season for all things that creep and crawl.  Ticks are of great concern because they carry various illnesses which include babesiosis, STARI, and Lymes Disease, just to name a few. 

How does one prevent ticks?  First, check yourself when you come in from outdoors.  I think I probably picked up that tick while I was mowing the grass or playing with the dogs.  Which leads to the next pointer: Check your dogs when they come in from laying outside!  Using a repellant spray also helps as does covering up with long pants/shirts when you’re venturing into areas where ticks are likely. 

I think the next important part is getting the tick out!!!  It’s tricky and if not done properly can be downright harmful!  Thankfully, I had a friend that helped me out.  By the time I got to her house I was sooooo grossed out.   Here’s a great video (above) from eHow that shows how a tick may be properly removed from the skin. 

Finally, if a rash, fever, joint pain, or any other symptoms develop, seek medical attention immediately!  It’s better to be on the side of caution!

With all the kids out of school for spring break and venturing into the great outdoors, the “poison” season has begun!  I fondly remember the “pink” stuff, incessant itching, and even a little oozing.  Fortunately, I’m not allergic, but many of my family members are.  So how does this allergic reaction occur?  The oils from the plants get onto the skin and to those who are unfortunately allergic to the plant, results can be uncomfortable to say the least. 

According to the National Insitute of Health, symptoms include:

• Extreme itching
• Red, streaky, patchy rash where the plant touched the skin
• Red bumps, which may form large, weeping blisters

There are mainly three types of plants that cause this allergic reaction.  Poison oak, ivy, and sumac are common summertime afflictors.  So how does one treat the aftermath ?

• Wash the skin thoroughly with soap and warm water. Because the plant oil enters skin quickly, try to wash it off within 30 minutes.
• Scrub under the fingernails with a brush to prevent the plant oil from spreading to other parts of the body.
• Wash clothing and shoes with soap and hot water. The plant oils can linger on them.
• Immediately bathe animals to remove the oils from their fur.
• Body heat and sweating can aggravate the itching. Stay cool and apply cool compresses to your skin.
• Calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream can be applied to the skin to reduce itching and blistering.
• Bathing in lukewarm water with an oatmeal bath product, available in drugstores, may soothe itchy skin. Aluminum acetate (Domeboro solution) soaks can help to dry the rash and reduce itching.
• If creams, lotions, or bathing do not stop the itching, antihistamines may be helpful.
• In severe cases, especially for a rash around the face or genitals, the health care provider may prescribe steroids, taken by mouth or given by injection.
• Wash tools and other objects with a dilute bleach solution or rubbing alcohol. A product called Tecnu, available in camping stores and some pharmacies, is very effective at removing the oils, but expensive. It should not be used on skin.

To prevent coming into contact with these potentially allergens, wear long pants and socks.  In addition, you can remove the poisons if you know they’re present.  Also, be careful while you’re burning brush or other vegetation.  As always, contact your medical professional if there are extreme symptoms and uncontrolled allergic reaction!

Have you or your children had any unfortunate experience with the poison family?  Any funny stories to share?

Well … it’s finally the season!  It’s warming up, the sun is shining and the kids are getting outdoors more and more every single day.  As a result, we can expect such things as skinned knees, bug bites, etc.  So, what’s in your First Aid kit?  Here’s what’s in mine:

1.  Band Aides:  Every mom and dad knows that bandages are a staple.  Whether it’s skinned knees, elbows, or just a scratched open bug bite, these little sticky miracles can make your kid feel a million times better (even if they don’t really have a feasible boo-boo!)

2.  Triple Antiobiotic Cream:  This is great for any type of open wound.  With skin super-bugs becoming an increasingly serious threat, it’s important not only to cover a wound, but to prevent infection.

3.  Cortizone Cream:  We all know that the South is infamous for its bugs.  My girls seems to attract every single mosquito in a 20-mile radius so this is necessary to stop the itching so they don’t scratch it open.

4.  Tweezers:  I can’t do without these; you can never find them when they’re needed.  Great for removing splinters.

5.  Benadryl:  Since the girls are allergic to antibiotics and have seasonal allergies (also great for bee stings,) this is a staple. 

6.  Sterile Saline Solution:  This is great for flushing out wounds or eyes.  Either way, it’s a great general purpose tool in your First Aid kit. 

7.  A DVD your kid has never seen:  This serves two purposes.  First, it can distract them from their injuries or serve as entertainment while you’re on the way to the emergency room.

What’s in your first aid kit?  Any suggestions because I’m always looking for additions.