Mosquito Bites

Mosquitoes

Parents- mosquitoes bites are on the rise, with all the rain that we have had, please protect the children as they are enjoying the warm weather and playing outside. There are many ways to protect from mosquito bites from long clothing, mineral oils, and sprays. Have a fun and safe homecoming week, go and enjoy the festivities. 

Back to School

Welcome  Back

 
Hello Everyone,
       Welcome back to another exciting school year. I am sending out a friendly reminder to all parents that immunizations should be up-to-date and if your child takes medications at school, we need to have them in original bottles from the pharmacy and that if you can bring them before school starts that would be great. If you have any questions about health related items I will be at Wings Park starting Monday, if I am not in that building please leave a message and I will return your e-mail or phone call.

Warm Weather

Hello everyone,
        This is a message from the IDPH on how to take care of yourself during warm weather.

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5/24/2018

IDPH News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Polly Carver-Kimm Polly.Carver-Kimm@idph.iowa.gov Warmer Weather Prompts Public Health Reminder With temperatures expected to rise near or above 90 degrees beginning today and lasting through the Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reminds Iowans to keep health in mind during the hot weather. “People suffer heat-related illness when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded. The body normally cools itself by sweating. But under some conditions, sweating just isn’t enough,” said IPDH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk. “Although people with cardiac and other medical problems are especially at risk, even young and healthy individuals can have a heat-related illness if they are very active during hot weather or the heat index is very high.” To protect your health when temperatures and humidity are high, remember to keep cool and use common sense. The following tips are important: Increase fluid intake, regardless of your activity level. The best way to tell you are well-hydrated is if your urine is light yellow. If it gets dark, stop and rehydrate by drinking water immediately. If experiencing a lot of sweating, replace salt and minerals by eating foods like bananas and salty crackers, or drink rehydrating beverages that contain salts such as sports drinks and special rehydration fluids. Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and wear sunscreen. Wear hats that shade your face such as sun hats, visors, etc. Keep in the shade or air conditioned areas as much as possible. Work slowly if you are not used to working or exercising in heat and humidity. Stop immediately if you get dizzy, nauseated or feel weak. Go into an air conditioned space and drink cool liquids. Use a buddy system. Watch others for heat-induced illness, since some people may not realize that they are suffering heat-related illnesses and can become confused or lose consciousness. As Iowans enjoy more outdoor recreational opportunities and events, it’s important to remember some basic summer safety guidelines, which can be summarized with the word “SHADE”: S – Sunscreen. Put on sunscreen with a sun protective factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and reapply throughout the day, especially if swimming or sweating. H – Heat safety. Drink lots of water and other non-alcoholic, sugar-free fluids; wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing when outdoors, especially when active; and when temperatures soar, stay in the shade or air conditioning as much as possible. A – Animal contact. Remember to wash your hands after touching animals at places like petting zoos or county fairs. Avoid stray and wild animals; they may carry diseases like rabies. D – DEET.  To prevent being bitten by ticks and mosquitoes that can carry diseases like Lyme disease and West Nile virus, use insect repellent with DEET (follow the label directions when using, especially on children). E – Eating outdoors. Grill all meats until thoroughly cooked and always keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot.  For more information about preventing hot weather health, visit http://www.cdc.gov/Features/ExtremeHeat/.

Tick Season

Hello everyone,
        Tick season is here and the Iowa Department of Public Health has sent out some good reminders on tick season.

Tick Season Underway in Iowa

Warmer weather means more time outdoors and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reminds Iowans to protect themselves against tick bites. Ticks can carry the organisms that cause diseases like Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

The best way to prevent tick bites is to avoid wooded and grassy areas, where ticks are usually found. If you do spend time in these areas:

• Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.
• Walk in the center of trails.
• Use repellent that contains 20 percent or more DEET, picaridin or IR3535 on exposed skin for protection that lasts several hours.
• Always follow product instructions. Parents should apply this product to their children, avoiding hands, eyes and mouth.
• Use products that contain permethrin on clothing. Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents, with products containing 0.5% permethrin. It remains protective through several washings. Pre-treated clothing is available and may be protective longer.
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has an online tool to help you select the repellent that is best for you and your family at https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-insect-repellent-right-you. 

If you discover a tick on your body, remove it right away. Folk remedies, such as burning the tick with a match or covering it with petroleum jelly or nail polish, are not effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following instructions for removing a tick:

• Carefully grasp the tick by using tweezers to grip the tick by its mouthparts, which are close to the skin. Do not squeeze the tick’s body.
• Pull steadily directly away from your skin. Because removing the tick’s body is your main goal, don’t worry if its mouthparts break off in the process.
• Clean the wound and disinfect the site of the bite.

Warm Weather Reminder

Hello Everyone Just a friendly reminder that the weather is warming up, so please be on the look out for children outside playing and riding bikes.