“Dealing with biting and stinging insects is one of summer’s bummers,” says Dr. Christopher Van Tilburg, editor of Wilderness Medicine magazine and the author of eight books on outdoor safety. “At best, a bite is annoying and a sting painful. At worst, they can be life-threatening if the person that was bitten or stung has an allergic reaction.”

Repellents can help ward off insects, but even the most powerful are not foolproof if you miss a patch of skin. A summer mosquito bite or bee sting is almost inevitable and can be annoying to adult sufferers and traumatizing to the youngest members of the family.

Van Tilburg offers some tips to help ensure insect bites and stings don’t take a bite out of your summer fun:

* Wash the bite or sting with soap and water. Keep an eye out for infection. If the bite or sting becomes increasingly red or painful, swells or oozes pus, or if the red spot is bigger than a nickel, have a doctor look at it.

* Apply an anti-itch treatment designed specifically for insect bites and stings. Oral antihistamines may help, but also carry the risk of making one drowsy, so stick with a topical remedy. Avoid those that rely on benzocaine or lidocaine, both of which simply mask the itch and need to be constantly reapplied since the relief is short lived. Instead, opt for a benzocaine-free product like AfterBite.

The adult version counteracts the bite with ammonia and the children’s version (AfterBite Kids) gently eliminates the pain and swelling with a baking soda-based cream. Both formulations work to soothe the bite — providing fast, long-term relief — and help moisturize the skin. AfterBite contains mineral oil and the kids’ version comes with Vitamin E, aloe vera and tea tree oil — all ingredients that are effective skin softeners. Tea tree oil also kills bacteria, which is an important benefit if a child’s insect bite or sting has become infected through over scratching. If you don’t have a remedy on hand, apply ice or cold to relieve the pain and swelling.

* In case of a sting, remove the stinger and venom sac as quickly as possible. The venom sac will continue to pump venom into the skin, even if you’ve already removed the rest of the insect. If you don’t have extra strength AfterBite Outdoor (which contains baking soda, tea tree oil and ammonia) available, make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the affected area for bee stings. For wasps, try vinegar, lemon juice or another acidic substance that may help neutralize the pain-causing toxin.

* Bee, hornet or wasp stings (and some ant bites) can lead to anaphylactic shock, a serious life-threatening allergic reaction. Symptoms include hives, wheezing, dizziness, tightness in the chest, a rapid heart beat and a drop in blood pressure. Anaphylactic shock requires immediate treatment with epinephrine and antihistamines. If someone in your family has a known bee allergy, be sure to keep an epinephrine auto-injector — prescribed by your doctor — on hand. Seek medical assistance as soon as possible.

* Bugs aren’t the only stinging creatures to be cautious about during summer months. If your family romps at the beach, beware of jellyfish stings. Some types of jellyfish deliver stings that are merely painful, while a handful can actually give a life-threatening sting. Use AfterBite or vinegar to neutralize jellyfish venom.

“Bites and stings are a reality of summer, but with a little preparedness and proper treatment, they don’t have to be a big bummer,” Van Tilburg says.

To learn more about treating summer insect bites and stings, visit www.tendercorp.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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(ARA) – Summertime heralds splashing in backyard pools, beach vacations and outdoor activities of all types. We like to think of it as a happy-go-lucky time when the whole family can enjoy reveling in the sunshine. Those happy rays, though, carry invisible dangers in the form of ultraviolet rays. Protection from dangerous UV light is so important that both the National Weather Service and Environmental Protection Agency provide a daily UV index.

To help ensure that everyone enjoys summer safely, Anthony James Petty, MLT, RMA, CMA and medical program chair at Brown Mackie College – Miami, shares helpful information on protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful effects.

“Overexposure to the sun causes premature aging,” says Petty. “Ultraviolet light affects the outer skin layers, or epidermis, and is the primary agent responsible for sunburn. Long-term effects of the sun also include a higher risk of developing skin cancer.”

The 2009 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency SunWise Program report, Health Effects of Overexposure to the Sun, states, “The incidence of skin cancer in the United States has reached epidemic proportions. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, and one American dies every hour from this devastating disease.”

Petty describes the process of burning and its effects on the skin. “Everyone has melanocytes, or pigment-producing cells, in the skin. As exposure to UV light begins to burn the skin, melanocytes send a color-producing pigment called melanin to the surface for protection. This causes the tan color, but each time it happens, it dries the skin and robs the melanocytes of their ability to respond.”

Petty recommends using sunscreen with SPF 15 protection or above, nothing below. “SPF 15 filters 92 percent of UV rays. Without protection, a fair-skinned person would begin to burn in just 10 minutes. Applying SPF 15 sunscreen lets that same person stay in the sun fifteen times longer before burning, or 150 minutes,” he continues. Petty notes it is important to reapply sunscreen every two hours, more often if you’re swimming. Chlorine from pools and salt from the ocean break down sunscreen formulas and weaken their effectiveness. Another consideration is the specific time of day you spend in the sun. Rays are strongest between noon and 3 p.m.

Apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going out into the sun. “The skin needs time to absorb the lotion,” says Petty. “The lotion is absorbed, but the chemicals in the sunscreen are rejected and form the protective layer.” While it is recommended to re-apply lotion periodically, it is equally recommended not to overuse sunscreen. “Overuse of sunscreen can enable toxins to enter the bloodstream. This is dangerous and can lead to liver damage,” he continues.

How to treat sunburn
If you do end up with sunburn, Petty offers tips on how to treat it. “First make sure you cover up. Don’t burn on top of burn,” he says. “It can be dangerous. Second-degree burns cause painful blisters on the skin. Popping the blisters raises the chances of infection. If blistering appears, see a doctor.”

Advice for sunburn includes a cool shower, not hot, or an oatmeal bath. “A cool compress often helps,” says Petty. “Aloe is a natural emollient that is commonly used to keep skin moist.” Anyone suffering from sunburn should drink plenty of water. A headache that accompanies sunburn signals dehydration. “Nothing functions well without hydration. Drink water before you feel thirsty,” Petty says. “Colas and iced tea should be avoided, as caffeine will actually cause further dehydration. Sports drinks, however, will replenish electrolytes and hydrate faster.”

A little knowledge can go a long way to help ensure you stay safe in the summer sun. Protection from UV light now can lower the risks of documented health problems proven to result from overexposure to the sun’s harmful rays.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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(ARA) – By now you probably think you’ve heard all of the health reasons there are for eating your vegetables. But, just in time for summer, researchers from Harvard University have announced that lutein — a potent antioxidant found in such dark green, leafy vegetables as spinach and kale — may protect the skin from sun damage.

“Lutein has been widely recognized for its eye health benefits for several years. But, our data is the first of its kind to suggest that lutein may have the potential to act as a preventative agent against UVB-induced skin cancer,” said Salvador Gonzalez, M.D., Ph.D., leader of the Harvard research team. “In addition, these data suggest that lutein protects the skin against damage caused by exposure to UVB light, further validating our position that lutein is a critical component to overall skin health.”

Lutein (LOO-teen) is a yellow pigment (the yellow is covered up by chlorophyll in green leaves) found predominantly in vegetables. It is also present in the eyes and skin of the human body. In women, lutein is found in the breasts and cervix. As an antioxidant, lutein protects the eyes from the damaging effects of aging. Lutein also acts as a light filter, protecting against the sun’s harmful rays.

UVA and UVB rays are two types of harmful rays found in sunlight. UVA rays contribute to wrinkling the skin, as well as to the development of skin cancer. UVB rays are the ones that are the primary cause of sunburn and skin cancer.
 
Good sunscreens block both UVA and UVB rays and are critical to skin health. But, you can do even more to protect your skin and eyes when you’re outside this summer.

Safety tips to keep top of mind:

Wear UV-blocking sunglasses. Over time, exposure to ultraviolet light can cause cataracts and increase your risk of macular degeneration, a disease that causes irreversible blindness.

If you’re a parent, protect your children’s skin. Research indicates that one or more severe, blistering sunburns in childhood or adolescence can double the risk of skin cancer later in life.

Check the expiration date on your sunscreen. Sunscreen without an expiration date has a shelf life of no more than three years.

Eat a healthy diet comprised of green leafy vegetables. Consumption of 6 milligrams of lutein per day (approximately one-third cup of cooked spinach) has been linked to a reduced risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Vitamins and dietary supplements formulated with purified lutein provide another option for adding this nutrient to a daily diet.

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It’s important to note that when lutein is consumed in foods or vitamins, it deposits in various tissues in the body — the eyes, the skin, fat tissue and so on. Therefore, it may also be beneficial to apply lutein directly to the surface of your skin. Several skin care products containing lutein are now available and can be purchased online at www.sephora.com or at salons that carry California Tan Heliotherapy sun care products.
 
For more information about how lutein can help promote healthy eyes and skin, talk to your doctor and visit the Lutein Information Bureau..

Website: www.luteininfo.com

Courtesy of ARA Content

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(ARA) – With the arrival of summer, many people look forward to spending time outside in the sun. Whether you’re playing sports, gardening or just lounging, using the proper skin protection products can help prevent sun damage.

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are the primary cause of skin cancer, which affects one million Americans every year. As the sun intensifies during the summer, it is more important than ever to prepare your skin, lips and hair to endure these dangerous sunrays.

Following is a list of must-have items for your beach bag this summer:

1. Water resistant sunscreen

A water resistant sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher will help protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Sunscreens should be applied to dry skin at least 15 minutes before going outdoors and should be reapplied after swimming or perspiring. Typically, one ounce of sunscreen lotion is enough to cover exposed areas of the body properly.

2. Medicated lip balm with SPF

For lips, the best protection against sun damage is a water resistant lip balm that keeps the lips moist and has an SPF of 15 percent or higher.
 
A product such as Zilactin-Lip medicated lip balm provides SPF 24 protection and is water resistant for long-lasting wear in the sun. Zilactin-Lip medicated lip balm also contains a non-greasy emollient to keep lips smooth and supple.

3. Wide-brimmed hat 

Aside from providing shade for your face, a wide-brimmed hat also can help protect hair from being damaged by the sun, which erodes the outer layer of hair and can cause coarse, wiry or brittle locks. Choose a comfortable-fitting hat with extra covering that drapes down the back of your neck, and sit in the shade whenever possible.

4. Spray-on sunscreen for hair

Another way to protect the hair from sun damage is to use protective sprays specifically created for hair. Leave-in conditioners and sun sprays offer sun protection before, during and after outdoor exposure.

5. Cold sore/fever blister treatment

Since cold sores/fever blisters can be triggered by overexposure to the sun, it is important to keep topical medications on hand for unexpected breakouts. A product such as Zilactin Cold Sore Gel helps speed up the healing process for fever blisters by sealing in the medication and preventing spreading. Zilactin-L Cold Sore Liquid is another option for treating cold sore/fever blister outbreaks.

Don’t let the sun ruin your summer vacation. Stock up on these vital summer products at your local drug, discount and grocery stores, or consult a family physician for additional advice. 
 
For more information on oral health, Zilactin products or Zilactin Website: www.zilactin.com

Courtesy of ARA Content

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