|
Contact: 210-567-3080 |
Summer hazards: Insects, food poisoning (6/30/95)The Fourth of July holiday is upon us and thousands of people are gearing up for summer fun. Before heading off to a cook-out, picnic, campground or favorite summer activity, take precautions to ensure a fun and safe season. Jon Thompson, director of the South Texas Poison Center at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, offers the following guidelines on how to avoid two common summer hazards — food poisoning and bug bites. As many as 20 percent of Americans will suffer from food poisoning this year, said Thompson. Most of these cases are short-lived with mild symptoms, yet others may be life-threatening, requiring intensive treatment, he said. Almost all of the problems associated with food poisoning can be avoided by following a few simple rules: + Few foods are free of bacteria. Moist proteins such as meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, potato salad, custards, cream pies, milk and dairy products are susceptible to microorganisms that can grow to poisonous levels if not kept cold or refrigerated. + Use only pasteurized milk, cream, cheese and other milk products. + Keep food hot (over 140 degrees F) or cold (less than 45 degrees F). Do not let food "sit out" for repeated servings. Keep hard boiled eggs cold, even if they are in the shell. + Wash hands and utensils before, during and after food preparation to prevent the transfer of bacteria from one food to another. + Make sure food is sealed in containers so juices from potentially contaminated foods, such as raw chicken or hamburger do not drain into other foods. + Serve food poisoning-resistant foods such as scrubbed raw vegetables, whole fruits, processed lunch meats, hot dogs or canned meats. Salt and sugar have preservative qualities, so serve potato chips, cookies or cake and leave the whipped cream desserts behind. Enjoying the great outdoors is a popular summer pastime. Yet experiencing an insect bite or sting can ruin the fun. Following is a list of several common South Texas insects, some of the dangers they pose and a few simple first-aid remedies. Ticks, Fleas and Mosquitoes Ticks and fleas are a common problem. The greatest danger from ticks and fleas is the possible transmission of infectious diseases; Texas ticks can carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease. To remove a tick, grasp it close to the skin using blunt tweezers or gloves. Pull up and away from the skin with steady, even pressure and make sure that the entire tick, including the head, is removed. Cleanse the area with antiseptic and apply a topical antibiotic. Mosquitoes can cause a host of diseases, including St. Louis encephalitis or "sleeping sickness." Keep pets free of fleas and ticks and throw out infested bedding. Check your yard for standing water, which gives mosquitoes a place to breed. Apply insect repellents containing a 20-30 percent concentration of DEET (Diethyl-m-tolumide) to exposed skin. Use all insect repellents with caution, especially on children, and avoid using them on infants less than a year old. Bees, Wasps, Hornets, Fire Ants and Tree Asps For most people, bee, wasp and hornet stings are easily treated with a common home remedy: Mix one part bleach to nine parts water, saturate a cloth with the solution and place it over the sting. Ice in a plastic bag on the compress can help relieve the pain and swelling. Elevate the wound and keep the compress in place for at least 15 minutes. If the pain persists, repeat the process 5 to 10 minutes later. If the stinger is still in the wound, scrape it out with a credit card or piece of cardboard. Pulling or squeezing the stinger can release additional venom. The diluted bleach solution also works for fire ant and tree asp stings. Severe allergic reactions to these insect bites and stings are a danger for some. If you suspect an allergic reaction, immediately call 911 or drive the victim to the emergency room. Spiders Only two local spiders have a bite dangerous to humans — the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider. The black widow bears a red hourglass-shaped mark on the underside of its round, glossy abdomen. The brown recluse spider is small, only a half-inch in length, with an oval body and a dark violin-shaped mark on its upper back. If bitten, wash the area with soapy water or apply the diluted bleach compress. Immediately call the local poison center for assistance. To minimize the risk of being bitten or stung, Thompson recommends the following: + Avoid brightly colored or floral-print clothing when working outside + Do not wear perfume or cologne outdoors — both attract insects immediately + Wear shoes, gloves and a hat when working in gardens or wooded areas + Use insect repellent + Avoid heavily wooded or weedy areas + Perform a careful examination of family and pets after a jaunt through the woods -- look for ticks and signs of bites + Keep the South Texas Poison Center number handy (1-800-764-7661 or 1-800-Poison-1); it's a 24-hour source of information and assistance. Contact: Andrea Corbett (210) 567-2570
|