Connecticut

How to Treat Tick Bites, Poison Ivy, and Other Summer Ailments

How do you correctly remove a tick bite?

If summer is making you itch, then Minuteclinic Nurse Practitioner Patricia Baginski is here to help.

Here are her tips for tick bites, poison ivy, and more:

How do you correctly remove a tick bite?
If pulling out a tick that has attached to the body, use tweezers and pull the tick from the head, not the swollen body, and pull it straight out instead of twisting it. And despite what some people might think, using petroleum jelly or heat will not help in these situations. Once the tick is out and flushed down the drain, put some alcohol and soap on the area. After that, you will most likely be fine. Although tick bites are not usually harmful, if the tick bite area begins to develop rings around it or you develop a fever, that may be a sign of Lyme Disease that you should get checked out by your PCP or a minute clinic location.

How do you treat a jellyfish sting?
If the jellyfish is of the North Atlantic kind typically seen at the shore, then just use seawater to flush out and clean the wound. Urine, fortunately, is not useful in this situation and may actually make the sting worse. Meat tenderizer is not proven to be effective either, fortunately.

How do you treat poison ivy, oak, or sumac?
Unfortunately, Connecticut has one of the most insidious forms of poison ivy, it can grow on grass, trees and bushes. Making it hard to identify. If you do come into contact with it, get yourself inside and clean it off as soon as possible. First go to the sink to wash it off with soap and water, then head to the shower to do the same for your entire body. If you catch it, there are several products and lotions out there to help. If you are looking for something stronger you can even go for the liquid calamate. And remember, wash but do not rub, that will make it worse.

How do you prevent swimmer’s ear?
When leaving the water, you should let the water fall out of your ear a little bit, let it rinse through. Mixing an aid of alcohol and white vinegar to put in your ear after letting it sit will help. As will an over-the-counter product such as swimmer’s ear drops.

How do you prevent sunburn?
Use sunscreen that is at least at SPF 30. If, however, you are burned and in need of relief, there are sunburn relief cooling gels and ibuprofen to help ease the pain.

Contact Us