Blog
What is it and how do we get it?
West Nile is a bird born virus that is transmitted to humans through mosquitos; it is not spread by person-to-person contact. In the rare and most severe cases, the virus infects the area around the spinal cord causing problems that can result in coma, paralysis and death. Even in high-risk areas only about 1 in 500 mosquitos carry West Nile Virus and only 1 in 150 people who are exposed to a West Nile-carrying mosquito will experience severe symptoms.
Unlike colds and flu, which are more threatening to the health of both young children and older people, West Nile generally targets people over the age of 50 and those who have a weakened immune system. In the case of West Nile, young children are not part of the higher risk population.
How can we prevent West Nile?
Pretty simple - be informed, think ahead and be prepared. Check in with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) [http://1.usa.gov/OoJkht] to see if you live in a high-risk area, and take extra precautions if you do.
Whether you are or aren’t in a high risk area, you’ll want to avoid mosquito bites because they are itchy, annoying and can lead to skin infection - especially when scratched.
Top Tips for Avoiding Mosquito Bites:
- Stay inside or protect your skin with bug-repelling lotion - especially at peak mosquito times, generally dawn and dusk.
- Wearing long sleeves and long pants can help, but mosquitos can easily penetrate thin fabrics. Since clothing isn’t always enough, natural insect repellent lotion can and should be applied under clothing as well as to exposed skin.
- Avoid standing water. Don’t allow water to collect in gutters, puddles or containers such as flower pots, bird feeders and pet dishes.
Why not DEET?
DEET, a common chemical ingredient in most bug repellents, is known to cause irritation, burning sensation, nausea, dizziness, headaches, lethargy, seizures and disorientation, especially if DEET is not thoroughly washed from the body before sleep.
If natural bug repellents are used according to manufacturer instructions and according to the CDC/AAP guidelines, they provide ample protection, making it unnecessary to expose your family to the potentially harmful effects of DEET.
Since more than 60% of what touches the skin can enter the bloodstream, it is not surprising that DEET will show up in urine after the regular and prolonged application necessary for proper bug protection - especially during the peak season of August and September. Additionally, DEET can cross the placenta and show up in cord blood samples when applied during pregnancy. [ ]http://1.usa.gov/NcBur]
Most Effective Natural Ingredients to Look For:
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus - Provides similar protection as low levels of DEET, according to the CDC. Other effective natural oils include Tea Tree Leaf Oil, Rosemary Leaf Oil, and Cedarwood Oil.
Do Natural Bug Repellents Work?
Absolutely! If you are using a high-quality natural bug repellent with proven ingredients and find that you and your family are still being bothered, the problem is most likely in the application of the product, not the product itself.
Top 3 Tips to Avoid User Error:
1. Follow Instructions: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends applying first to your own hands and then spreading over children’s skin, thus a lotion is better for children than a spray-on product. When using both sunscreen and insect repellent, it is most effective to apply sunscreen first, and then to apply the insect repellent second. The CDC recommends against using a product that is both a sunscreen and an insect repellent. The AAP recommends against using repellents with DEET on infants less than 2 months old.
2. Apply Frequently: Use only fresh product and reapply often. Mosquitos are attracted by skin odors, and repellents work by altering the attractive skin odor to a repelling skin odor. The rule of thumb, according to the CDC, is simply to reapply if you are getting bitten. Products with active ingredient levels that are low enough to be safe for children and sensitive skin adults should be able to provide between 1 and 2 hours of protection.
3. Apply Everywhere: The CDC does not recommend applying DEET products under clothing because of the potential health hazards, but this does not apply to safe, natural lotions. Cover the entire surface of the skin from between the toes to behind the ears. Avoid only the eye area. Since total coverage is important for effectiveness, any product that is wiped or washed away leaves a spot that mosquitos can find.
Making Your Own:
You can absolutely mix your own bug repelling blends, just keep in mind that total essential oil content should be less than 5% of your solution to be safe for babies and kids. The best blends can provide added benefits and protection beyond a basic bug repellant. Skin that has been penetrated by bites and is prone to irritation can become easily inflamed and infected, so it is helpful to include anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients. Purified Aloe Vera and Propolis extract are great raw materials to achieve those benefits.
Kim Walls, M.S., is the CEO of Episencial® and chief formulator the company’s skincare products and philosophy. A second-generation skin care expert from the family that developed the world renowned Epicuren® anti-aging skin care products, she now combines her activism for health and environmentalism with expertise in clinical skin care and nutritional science to develop green, effective skin care for pregnant women and children.
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and not necessarily those of Healthy Child Healthy World.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/checblog/~3/r6qDMwt8tSc/
britax infant car seats britax car seat marathon britax chaperone britax sale car seat sale
No comments:
Post a Comment