Insect stings can occur at any moment. Insects are everywhere, especially in the summer. Humidity, heat, sweet food and various odors attract them. There is no place where we cannot risk being exposed to insect stings, some of which are extremely dangerous. Fortunately, we can protect ourselves.
You do not have to be in exotic lands to come in contact with dangerous insects. And insect stings are a threat to health, especially for those allergic to them. But effective measures can be taken to avoid troublesome insects.
How not to attract insects
Most of the insect bites are just painful and itchy. Sometimes they can be serious. For example, bee stings may cause allergic reactions. Tick bites can transmit Lyme disease. Mosquitoes can transmit the West Nile meningitis virus. Having in mind some rules for outdoor summer safety will help you prevent such problems.
In order not to attract insects, we recommend wearing light-colored clothes in neutral colors, long sleeves and long pants. If you’re going out in the woods or wildlife parks, wearing socks over trousers to prevent stings can be helpful. Last but not least, it is recommended to use an anti-insect product on body areas that remain uncovered by clothes.
Because young ones are more sensitive, it is important to pay special attention to protecting them. Mosquito nets provide the best protection for children under 2 months of age.
It is very important that once you get back home or in the car, you carefully control the clothes and the skin to remove any ticks quickly. Carefully check the skin of the head, neck, and other less accessible areas such as behind the ears, shoulder area, groin and ankles, and the clothes you wore should be washed immediately. Ticks do not transmit the disease unless they have been on the skin for at least 24 hours. Finding and eliminating them on time is the best way to protect ourselves from infections.
What NOT to do for protection
Although insect anti-insect products are safe, it is important that their use be made only by adults. Children should never apply the products on their own! An adult should apply the product on his hands, then massage it on the baby’s skin.
Chemicals are particularly effective in driving away insects. However, their long-term use could pose risks. Instructions on the label should be read carefully, especially when the product is used in children. It is not allowed to use anti-insect products in children under 2 months or to apply products with more than 30% DEET on the skin. They can be toxic not only for young children but also for adults.
Anti-mosquito devices, such as clip-on products, bracelets, or ultrasound devices are often ineffective or even toxic. That’s why you should be extremely careful if using a product of this type.
Contrary to popular belief, garlic and vitamin B1 supplements do not work against insects. Slim fit clothes are also not recommended because mosquitoes can sting through them. Also regarding clothing, you should know that vivid colors, flower-like designs and sweet perfumes attract insects. It’s always best to wear dark colored clothing,
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