Your Health: Insect Repellents—The Basics

Insect Repellents—The Basics

by Sean M. Crosetti, MBA, PharmD, Crosetti Health & Wellness

Continuing from my last article on a subject specific for the summer time; I would like to talk about insect repellents. In this article I will talk about the whys, which’s, and how’s of insect repellents.

Why use insect repellents Not only is the use of insect repellents going to help you and your family not itch after your outdoor adventure, it can and will, help in the prevention of insect borne diseases. Some of these diseases are Lyme disease, Zika, West Nile disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia, Heartland virus, Bourbon virus, St. Louis Encephalitis, and others. They are treatable (ability to decrease the severity) if identified early and treated.

Which insect repellents to use Before we dive into this let me say this: insect repellents keep biting insects away (mosquitos, ticks, chiggers, flees, and biting flies), not stinging insects (bees, hornets, and wasps). There is not a repellent for stinging insects, so the best way to avoid them is to remove things that may attract them (trash, sweet smelling scents, food, etc.) and do not disturb their home (unless you are prepared to destroy the nest and handle the swarm). Which product you choose should be dependent upon the length of time you will be outside, what you are trying to repel (flying insects, ticks, or both), and your preference in type of repellant. There is no rule of thumb, so to speak, about what to use; the container should show which type of pests it repels and for how long. If you would prefer to research online to choose which brand to purchase, you can go to the EPA website at https:// www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/findrepellent-right-you. You type in the information necessary (length of time, what to repel, product preferences) and the site provides a listing of repellents that fit your scenario and are EPA approved.

A quick rundown of the active ingredients options is below:

EPA approved safe and deemed effective repellents: Catnip oil Citronella DEET IR 3535 p-Menthane-3,8-diol Lemon Eucalyptus oil Picaridin 2-undecanone

Other insect repellents – Safe but not proven effective by EPA: Geranium Peppermint oil Soybean oil Ultrasonic devices

Other ways to repel biting insects that can be used alone or better yet, in conjunction with repellants: Stay away from areas that attract insects (garbage cans, orchards, flowerbeds, standing water, etc.) Avoid scented skin treatments (soap, perfume, hairsprays, etc.) Clothing with bright colors or floral prints may attract insects Check for ticks once you return from the outside adventure Long sleeve shirts and pants with the legs tucked into the socks Spraying permethrin on clothing (not skin) will repel ticks

How to apply the repellants Do: Pick the product that comes in the form of a stick, lotion, or pump sprays Follow directions on container Apply repellent to exposed skin and clothing only (not under clothing) Only apply enough to lightly cover the exposed skin and clothing. More does not change anything except the amount of chemical the person is exposed; it does not increase duration or efficacy Use open areas to apply the sprays to avoid inhalation Apply spray repellents to children by spraying on hands of adult and adult applying to areas on child Wash skin with soap and water when done outside to remove remaining repellent and wash the clothing before wearing again

Do Not: Do not use on children under 2 months of age (use mosquito netting) Do not apply repellent to children’s hands as they tend to rub eyes or place fingers in mouth Do not spray repellent on cuts, wounds, burned, or irritated skin Do not use combination DEET repellent/ sunscreen products as multiple applications of the sunscreen may lead to overexposure of DEET

Finally, if you notice a “bull’s eye” pattern around the bite or experience fever, headache, and/or muscle aches, you should reach out to your care provider for further evaluation. I hope this helps you and your family in the use of insect repellents for the situation you will be in and remember the best for today may not be the best for tomorrow. Please feel free to reach out to us at Info@Crosettis.com, or your care provider, with any questions about the information in this article. Let me know if you would like me to write about a topic of your interest.

Tips to keep kids’ minds active all summer long

(StatePoint) School is out and already parents are hearing the dreaded, “I’m bored.” Unfortunately, too much mental downtime in summer can leave kids floundering in fall. To keep minds active all summer long, check out these brain energizing tips and ideas: • Take a hike: Whether your children were learning remotely or in-person this past school year, they are likely due for some quality time spent outdoors. Take a hike with your kids or go on a camping trip. Exploring the natural world offers a geology, biology and ecology lesson wrapped up into one experience. • Make math fun: Keep students’ mathematics skills honed during the summer months by visiting the Casio Education website. Found at casioeducation.com/activities, this free resource features tons of tools that help incorporate technology into mathematics learning. • Hit up the library: Many schools, local libraries and other entities dedicated to childhood literacy host annual summer reading challenges. Encourage your kids to not only participate, but to actively choose books they are looking forward to reading. • Get moving: Exercise is critical for a healthy brain, so make sure kids are moving each day. Take a bike ride together as a family, visit a playground or pool, round up the neighbors for a game of flag football -- there are many fun ways to boost physical activity, particularly during the summer months. This summer, be sure you mix up the down time with opportunities to exercise the mind. Doing so will keep kids happy, entertained and intellectually challenged.

In a pickle with extra produce?

by Tara Sallee, MS, RD, LD, Hy-Vee Corporate Dietitian

Summer is a great time to focus on eating more vegetables, and it’s easier than ever when there is an abundance of fresh, colorful vegetables in the garden and grocery store! Dial up the flavor on summer vegetable favorites with herbs and spices that can bring big flavor to your table. Adding spices and herbs is easy to do, costs pennies per serving and can offer a healthy boost! The right type of herb typically depends on what you cook. Both fresh and dried spices can be used in different ways to add flavor and nutrition. Fresh herbs add the most nutritional benefit. Add them at the end of cooking to add a boost of fresh flavor and visual appeal. Use a 3:1 ratio fresh to dry in recipes. Fresh herbs can be stored for two weeks in the refrigerator while dried herbs can be kept in a dark pantry for six months and dried spices up to three years. Fruit and vegetables are loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber. Aim to eat 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Pickling is another way to add variety and work color into a healthy diet! Quick pickles, also known as refrigerator pickles, do not require canning and are easy to do. Simply soak veggies or fruit in a brine in the fridge to preserve them. Try using a combination of fresh and dried herbs and spices to add flavor when pickling. Fresh herbs like dill, thyme and oregano hold up well while ground spices like turmeric and paprika add great flavor and color! The longer they soak, the better they get! Check out the recipes below for quick pickling ideas! Visit hy-vee.com/health to connect with your local Hy-Vee dietitian, get more information on consultation packages, virtual nutrition store tours and more!

The information in this article is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice. Tara Sallee is a Hy-Vee corporate dietitian dedicated to helping people live healthier and happier lives. Tara received a Bachelor degree in dietetics and nutrition from Missouri State University. Tara went on to attend Kansas University Medical Center where she received her Master of Science degree in dietetics and nutrition and completed her dietetics internship. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. With a passion for nutrition and wellness, Tara is dedicated to educating customers and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Pickled Cucumbers with Shallots All you need: 1 ½ English cucumbers, sliced 3 shallots, thinly sliced 1 tbsp dill seed 7 fresh dill sprigs

Pickled Yellow Beets All you need: 4 medium yellow beets, peeled and thinly sliced 1 tbsp coriander seeds 3 cinnamon sticks 7 fresh basil leaves

Pickle Brine All You Need: 1 cup water 1 cup Hy-Vee white distilled vinegar 1 tbsp Hy-Vee granulated sugar 2 tsp pickling salt Herbs and/or spices (see Cucumbers with Shallots recipe and Yellow Beets recipe above)

All you do: Fill a quart jar with desired fresh fruits and or vegetables (see pickling recipes options above). Combine water, distilled vinegar, sugar and pickling salt in a small saucepan. Add herbs and/or spices Bring mixture to boil, stirring to dissolve salt and sugar. Pour hot brine over fruits and/or vegetables in jar. Cool, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving or store up to 2 weeks.

Recipe source: Hy-Vee Seasons – July 2021

GRAIN VALLEY NEWS

Our advertisers support your local news. Support Small Business. Shop Local. www.grainvalleynews.com

Three tips for new runners

(SPM Wire) Running is one of the best ways to beat stress, build endurance, torch calories and get fresh air. However, there are many potential pitfalls that new runners can experience if they don’t take proper precautions. Following these three steps will help you stay safe, prevent injury and run stronger. • Warm up: Before hitting the road, complete a dynamic warm-up routine that includes butt kicks, high knees, straight leg kicks and leg swings. Don’t forget the upper body. It’s smart to also include moves like shoulder rolls, arm circles and torso rotations. Long static stretching is great, but only after your run. • Increase mileage slowly: It’s easy to get excited about your new running habit and want to up the intensity and duration of your workouts fairly quickly. However, too much too soon can lead to overuse injuries. Add mileage gradually. • Recover: Listen to your body and take rest days when needed. Use the time to actively recover with stretching, yoga and foam rolling. Be sure to fuel your body with healthy, wholesome foods.

THEME: SUMMER OLYMPICS

ACROSS 1. Welsh dog breed 6. With juice, or au ____ 9. Pirate's yes, pl. 13. What a subordinate does 14. Cigarette residue 15. Chimney cleaner 16. Coffin holders 17. "Sheep be true! ___-ram-ewe!" 18. Poisonous Christmas berry 19. *First U.S. city to host Summer Olympics 21. *Swimmer with most Olympic medals 23. Part of a min. 24. *Field hockey's stick and ball, e.g. 25. Gayle King's network 28. Capital of Latvia 30. *Canoeing: slalom and ____ 35. Rhine tributary 37. Building annexes 39. A in AV 40. Three-ply cookie 41. *Madison cycling, e.g. 43. *Light ball tap, in volleyball or tennis 44. What hoarders do 46. Not happening (2 words) 47. Half-rotten 48. *Martial art debuting in Olympics in 2021 50. Make a plaintive cry 52. Short for although 53. Luau instruments 55. Street in Paris 57. *____ horse in gymnastics 60. *One of pentathlon events 64. Kentucky Derby drink 65. Rock in a glass 67. Small Asian ungulate 68. Spy's cover 69. Not a win nor a loss 70. Run off to marry 71. Pat dry 72. Eastern Standard Time 73. Between shampoo and repeat DOWN 1. Corn units 2. Final notice? 3. Rod attachment 4. Greek sandwiches 5. Federal Reserve in relation to U.S. currency 6. *Boxing moves 7. *All-time Olympic record holder in medal count 8. Popular fitness magazine 9. Military no-show 10. Crowd-sourced review platform 11. Mature elvers 12. I do this with my little eye 15. Tibetan mountaineer 20. Slipperier 22. ____-been 24. London's Tyburn Tree, e.g. 25. Kick the bucket 26. Thailand's neighbor 27. Give sheep a haircut 29. A valley in Scotland 31. "Ant-Man" leading actor 32. Dostoevsky's "The ____" 33. Beethoven's famous symphony 34. *2021 Olympic host 36. Civil Rights icon 38. Long adventure story 42. ____ welcome! 45. Tree cutters' leftovers 49. ____ out, as in victory 51. One suffering from tuberculosis 54. Chosen few 56. Food safety threat 57. *Threat to muscles 58. Mixture 59. Source of protein 60. Pedal pushers 61. Golf club 62. Midday slumbers 63. High school club 64. #6 Down, sing. 66. Post-Soviet Union union