“Drinking water does more than just quench your thirst. It’s essential to keeping your body functioning properly and feeling healthy.

Nearly all of your body’s major systems depend on water to function and survive. With water making up about 60% of your body weight, it’s no surprise what staying hydrated can do for you.

Some ways the water works in our bodies is the following:

• Regulates body temperature
• Moistens tissues in the eyes, nose, mouth and other areas
• Protects body organs and tissues
• Carries nutrients and oxygen to cells.”

MAYO CLINIC (Water: Essential for your body – Mayo Clinic Health System)

“No matter what stung you, you’re likely to feel some pain, throbbing and stinging, along with redness in the affected area. Unless you have an allergic reaction, these symptoms shouldn’t stick around for too long.

“Redness and swelling at the site of the sting is a normal reaction and will subside over time, usually in one to two days,” says Dr. Fertel. In terms of treatment, bee, wasp and hornet stings can be treated the same — unless the person has a specific allergy.

You may have heard that you should swipe the stinger out with a credit card or your fingernail rather than pinching and pulling it out. But, says Dr. Fertel, there’s no evidence that the technique makes a difference. What does matter is how quickly you remove the stinger. So, don’t stress about how it’s done — just get it over with fast. This is because the quicker you’re able to remove the stinger, the less venom will be pumped into the wound. This will help decrease the side effects of the sting and reduce the risk for anaphylactic shock if you’re allergic.”

Cleveland Clinic (Bee Sting Treatment and Prevention)

What you should do if you or your child or family gets stung is:

One get into a safe area and away from a hive or outside where more stinging insects can come and attack you.

Two look at the area and if you see the stinger DO NOT SQUEEZE IT OUT since you will squeeze out more venom from the stinger but what you can do is get a tweezer and pull it our or if not available you can attempt to scratch it out with a nail (like if you are out camping and have no tweezers for example).

Three than wash the area out with soap and apply ice if the area is in pain to give the numbing affect to the area and decrease the pain with decreasing the venom from spreading.

If the area is itching apply oatmeal or a antihistamine cream to the area to decrease the itching or maybe even a cool bath and if you are not allergic (the majority of us are not) but you DO get stung by a bee outside hiking look for some plantain – chew it up a bit at the front of your mouth – and then spit the chewed up leaf and saliva on the sting.

Most stings will cause a small red bump to the area that got stung. For most part they can be treated at home depending on the area that was stung (Foot vs EYE for example). It would also include the reaction the individual has (LOCAL vs SYSTEMIC or even ANAPHYLACTIC=An allergic reaction that needs to be treated immediately or fatal, usually with epinephrine injection.).

Stung in the eye it will get swollen and shut and immediate evaluation from a MD is needed to make sure there is no other injury to the eye or that they didn’t even actually get stung in the eye itself.

If you show hives with DIFFICULTY BREATHING or DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING you NEED TO CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY since this is indicating a ANAPHYLACTIC REACTION most likely that needs treatment ASAP!! Since this can lead to shock or unconsciousness.

If you have reason to think you may be seriously allergic to bee venom, you should carry an Epipen (further discussed below).

How to determine if your even allergic to stings:

The diagnosis is made by a specialist, an allergist, by interviewing the patient and doing special allergy tests. If someone has had what is described as a systemic reaction, they should have venom skin tests done by an allergist to identify which venoms they are allergic to. The allergist can then recommend, based on the kind of reaction that the patient had, what kind of prevention would be the best idea for that person. For some people, it might be enough to be careful and carry an EpiPen, but for most people with insect skin allergy the best recommendation is to be immunized with venom treatment, because the allergy shots are highly effective to prevent dangerous reactions. This would all be done after any serious reactions were first taken care of in the ER if you had to call 911.

If you have reason to think you may be seriously allergic to bee venom, you should carry an Epipen (further discussed below). What it this exactly? An EpiPen is one kind of injector to deliver epinephrine, also known as adrenaline. It is a spring-loaded injector that makes it easy for somebody to give themselves an emergency injection that can be life-saving when there’s a severe allergic reaction. An EpiPen is useful for someone to carry if they have had a severe allergic reaction in the past. This is true for insect sting allergy and for some food allergies or other causes of anaphylaxis.

Let me point outthat there is no other medicine that can counteract a severe allergic reaction, but sometimes even the EpiPen isn’t enough; so when someone needs to use an EpiPen they should call 911, because they may need intravenous fluids or oxygen or other medicines.

BE SAFE RATHER THAN SORRY!

So let us remember it is coming onto summer and their BACK AGAIN!

 References

1-Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how 2-NEWS4JAX.com Published On: May 30 2014 09:38:22 AM EDT

3-http//beestrawbridge.blogspot.com/2013/03/which- bees-sting and which-don’t.html with Phil Chandler of Biobees.

4-Wikipedia-2013 published Bees

5-MedicineNet.com Bee and Wasp Sting 12/11/2013

6-See more at: http://www.about-bees.com/carpenter-bees.html#sthash.NywAhKk2.dpuf

“You can do a few things to minimize your sun exposure and reduce your risk of skin damage.

• Try to stay in the shade as much as possible. If you are in the sun, wear protective clothing such as a long-sleeved shirt and pants.
• You should also apply sunscreen with a high SPF rating to exposed skin.
• Avoid being in the sun during peak hours, typically between 10 am and 4 pm.

By taking these precautions, you can help to protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation.

UV rays are just as harmful on cloudy days as on sunny days.

While it’s true that people with darker skin have a higher natural SPF than those with lighter skin, this does not mean that they are immune to the effects of UV radiation.

While sunscreen is a vital part of any sun safety plan, it’s not the only thing you need to do to protect yourself from UV radiation. You should also take steps to avoid excessive sun exposure and wear protective clothing when you are in the sun.”

Skin and Cancer Institute (July is UV Safety Month | Skin And Cancer Institute)

“Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Protection from UV rays is important all year. Spending time outside is a great way to be physically active and reduce stress. You can work and play outside without raising your skin cancer risk by protecting your skin from the sun.

Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. UV rays are an invisible kind of radiation that comes from the sun, tanning beds, and sunlamps. UV rays can damage skin cells.

Protection from UV rays is important all year, not just during the summer. UV rays can reach you on cloudy and cool days, and they reflect off of surfaces like water, cement, sand, and snow. In the continental United States, UV rays tend to be strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daylight saving time (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. standard time).

The UV Index forecasts the strength of UV rays each day. If the UV index is 3 or higher in your area, protect your skin from too much exposure to the sun.”

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/skin-cancer/sun-safety/index.html)

The Sun is by far the largest object in the solar system. It contains more than 99.8% of the total mass of the Solar System (Jupiter contains most of the rest).

It is often said that the Sun is an “ordinary” star. That’s true in the sense that there are many others similar to it. But there are many more smaller stars than larger ones; the Sun is in the top 10% by mass. The median size of stars in our galaxy is probably less than half the mass of the Sun. A process called fusion heats the Sun. Fusion happens in the core of the Sun. It is very hot there. In fact, the core’s average temperature is around 27,000,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The surface of the Sun is cool compared with the core, only 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

This fusion process not only heats the Sun, it makes the sunlight we see here on Earth. This sunlight travels the speed of light which is 186,282 miles per second or 299,792,458 meters per second. This means the light from the Sun takes 8.4 minutes to travel 93 million miles to Earth. If the world’s fastest land animal were to travel that same distance, it would take a cheetah over 151 years to reach the Earth running about 70 mph nonstop!

Ultraviolet radiation: Invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun. Ultraviolet radiation can burn the skin and cause skin cancer.

Ultraviolet radiation is made up of three types of rays — ultraviolet A, ultraviolet B, and ultraviolet C. Although ultraviolet C is the most dangerous type of ultraviolet light in terms of its potential to harm life on earth, it cannot penetrate earth’s protective ozone layer. Therefore, it poses no threat to human, animal or plant life on earth.

Ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B, on the other hand, do penetrate the ozone layer in attenuated form and reach the surface of the planet. Because ultraviolet A is weaker than ultraviolet B, scientists long blamed ultraviolet B as the sole culprit in causing skin cancer in persons with a history of sunburn and repeated overexposure to ultraviolet radiation. Recent research, however, has also implicated ultraviolet A as a possible cause of skin cancer.

Photosensitivity refers to various symptoms, diseases and conditions caused or aggravated by exposure to sunlight.

• A rash due to photosensitivity is a photodermatosis (plural photodermatoses).
• If the rash is eczematous, it is a photodermatitis.
• A chemical or drug that causes photosensitivity is a photosensitiser.
• A phototoxic reaction to a photosensitiser results in an exaggerated sunburn reaction and no immune reaction is involved.
• A photoallergic reaction to a photosensitiser results in photodermatitis and is due to delayed hypersensitivity reaction.
• A photoexacerbated condition describes a flare of an underlying skin disease on exposure to sunlight.

Photosensitivity is characterized into many groups:

• Polymorphic light eruption (PLE):

PLE generally affects adult females aged 20–40, although it sometimes affects children and males (25%). It is particularly common in places where sun exposure is uncommon, such as Northern Europe, where it is said to affect 10–20% of women holidaying in the Mediterranean area. It is less common in Australasia. It has also been reported to be relatively common at higher altitudes compared to sea level.

PLE can occur in all races and skin phototypes and may be more prevalent in skin of colour than in white skin. There is a genetic tendency to PLE, and it is sometimes associated with or confused with photosensitivity due to lupus erythematosus (which generally is more persistent than PLE).

Some patients experience PLE during phototherapy, which is used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis and dermatitis.

There are three types of UV rays:

Ultraviolet A (UVA): UVA rays penetrate deep into the layers of the skin and lead to premature signs of aging, which include fine lines and wrinkles. It is important to note that the amount of UVA stays relatively consistent throughout the year, and exceeds the amount of UVB in both summer and winter. Even on a cloudy day, 80% of the sun’s UVA rays pass through the clouds and reach our skin and eyes. It’s also important to know that tanning beds work by emitting primarily UVA rays.

Ultraviolet B (UVB): UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn, thickening of the skin, and several types of skin cancers – including melanoma. UVB rays penetrate the outermost layer of skin and cause damage to skin cells. UVB also can cause damage to eyes and the immune system.

Ultraviolet C (UVC): UVC is the strongest of the UV spectrum radiation. Fortunately, UVC rays do not reach the earth’s surface because it is blocked by the ozone layer of the atmosphere. The only way we can be exposed to UVC radiation is from an artifical source, such as a lamp or laser. UVC rays can cause severe skin burns and eye injuries even when exposed for only a few seconds. Since the penetration depth of UVC rays is very low, these injuries usually resolve within a week with virtually no risk of long-term health risks (skin cancer, cateracts, vision loss).

Causes:

Genetic factors may be important with many affected individuals reporting a family history of PLE. Native Americans have a hereditary form of PLE (actinic prurigo).

PLE is caused by a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to a compound in the skin that is altered by exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). UVR leads to impaired T cell function and altered production of cytokines in affected individuals. There is a reduction in the normal UV-induced immune suppression in the skin. This has been suggested to be either due to oestrogen or deficiency of vitamin D.

The rash is usually provoked by UVA (in 90%). This means the rash can occur when the sunlight is coming through window glass, and that standard sunscreens may not prevent it. Occasionally, UVB and/or visible light provoke PLE.

PLE may be a rare occurrence in the individual concerned or may occur every time the skin is exposed to sunlight. In most affected individuals, it occurs each spring, provoked by several hours outside on a sunny day. If further sun exposure is avoided, the rash settles in a few days and is gone without a trace within a couple of weeks. It can recur next time the sun shines on the skin. However, if the affected area is exposed to more sun before it has cleared up, the condition tends to get more severe and extensive with longer to heal.

Stay tune tomorrow for part II on Ultralight rays from the Sun to Sunburn and Types of photosensitivity for some!

“According to the World Health Organization (WHO),  each year nearly 20 million pregnant women carry group B strep (GBS). Although GBS is harmless for most pregnant individuals, it can be extremely serious when it passes to babies during pregnancy, childbirth or in the first months of life.”

www.groupBstrepinternational (Group B Strep International – Home)

Group B Streptococcus (GBS), or Streptococcus agalactiae, is a type of bacteria that is naturally found in the digestive and lower reproductive tracts of both men and women.  About 1 in 4 pregnant women “carry” or are “colonized” with GBS.

Carrying GBS does not mean that you are unclean.  Anyone can carry GBS. GBS is not considered to be a sexually transmitted disease or infection as it can occur on its own even in someone with no prior sexual experience. However, bacteria can be passed between sexual partners, including through oral contact.

The awareness month for group B strep is July. This is a common bacterium that affects adults and it does not present with any symptoms or signs. The pregnant women can pass these bacteria to their unborn children during the first few months after delivery or during child birth and this can be fatal. Most people who suffer from this bacterial infection are not aware of it and pregnant women get to know about it because of the screening that is done during prenatal visits. The screening tests is usually done during the third trimester and this test was started in the mid 1990s. Research indicates that since that time, the number of children who are affected by this infection has dropped from 1.7 to 0.28 in every 1000 births.

This month helps in raising awareness to women who are pregnant and those who are in the child rearing period to prevent Group B Strep infection. This helps women to keep their unborn babies healthy and safe as the infection can be fatal.

The National Charity that is associated with group B strep advices all pregnant women to be aware of this infection caused by streptococcus group B. This is the most common type of infection in new born babies as it causes meningitis, pneumonia and sepsis which can be fatal in the first few weeks of life. The bacterium is carried by women who do not present with any symptoms and therefore it can be easily passed to the baby during child birth.

The main message that is shared on this month awareness is that Group B Strep is fatal and that the infection can be prevented. People are taught on the need to go for testing as the bacterial colonization can be carried by people in the vagina or the lower intestines. Most people are carriers of this infection but they are not aware because they have never been tested for the same. This is because the infection does not present with any signs or symptoms. However, in some cases, the infection can get access into the blood stream and this can trigger fatal infections. When a pregnant woman gets this infection it can be spread to the unborn baby in the following ways:

While the baby is still in the womb, during a normal or a cesarean section birth, through the urinary tract or amniotic fluid, or through direct contact with the bacteria that is present in the birth canal.

The infants who are infected by this bacterium during birth are prone to infections and this includes meningitis, pneumonia and sepsis. The children who survive this infection are at risk of getting long term complications especially in cases where they suffered from meningitis. The common complications that can occur include cerebral palsy, hearing loss, mental and physical disabilities.

Pregnant women should be aware of the need for testing for each pregnancy and it does not matter whether they were tested for the previous pregnancies. This is because all pregnancies are different and it is vital to ensure that the baby is safe in all pregnancies.