|
June Letter from the CEO
Krystin Albert; RN, BSN
Summer is slowly creeping up on us. It’s a time for relaxation, adventure, and sunshine. Whether you’re hitting the beach, hiking in the White Mountains, or enjoying a backyard BBQ, keep in mind some safety tips for you and your family. Protect yourself from the sun. Prolonged exposure can lead to sunburn and increase your risk of skin cancer. Apply sunscreen, wear light weight protective clothing, sunglasses, and a hat. The UV rays are strongest between 10am and 4pm. Stay hydrated, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid drinking excessive caffeine or alcohol. Staying hydrated will prevent heat exhaustion. Symptoms of heat exhaustion consist of dizziness, weakness, nausea, and excessive sweating. Be sure to take time out and rest, treat the symptoms, and find some shade to cool off in or seek air-conditioned areas.
Watch out for bugs! With warmer weather here, ticks are small parasites that can pose a serious health risk. They transmit Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Understanding prevention and how to properly remove a tick is essential in protecting yourself and your loved ones. So, what do we know about ticks? Well, we know they are commonly found in wooded areas, tall grass, shrubs, leaves, and grassy areas. They’re most active in these warmer months but can be found year-round. They latch onto the skin of a host and feed on their blood. Lyme disease is the most well-known tick-borne illness and can cause joint pain, fatigue, fever, and serious complications if not treated.
So how do we prevent tick bites? Wear light-colored long sleeve shirts and pants so you can easily spot ticks. Apply insect repellent with DEET or permethrin. Clothes can also be treated if you plan on spending a lot of time in the high-risk areas. Try to stay on cleared trails and keep grassy areas mowed. Always inspect yourself from head to toe as well as your family and pets after spending time outdoors. If you find a tick that is attached to the skin use a fine tipped tweezer to remove it by pulling it upward to remove its entire body. There are many cheap and free tick removal devices available, pick up a few and to have on you, in your car, and at home. Make sure you clean tick bites with soap and water and dispose of the tick properly. Monitor symptoms and call your Primary Care Provider if any symptoms develop. You can significantly reduce the risk of tick-related illnesses by remaining educated on tick prevention, by staying informed, and taking preventative measures. Stay safe, be vigilant, and enjoy the great outdoors.
Franklin VNA and Hospice is here to support you and the community’s needs. Thank you for choosing Franklin VNA and Hospice as your Home Health and Hospice agency and for sharing your experience with our services with others. It is because of you that we are able to continue to remain a small independent hometown agency.
| 
