While some skin cancers appear to be influenced by heredity, most are caused by sun exposure. Although most occur in adults, studies have shown its' development may be related to our behavior as children. The two primary triggers are accumulated lifetime exposure to the sun and severe sunburns. This means the more we spend in the sun over our lifetime the greater the risks of developing skin cancer.

Protecting children is important since we get most of our lifetime exposure before the age of 18. Because of this children need to know how to “play safe in the sun” by finding shade, wearing coverup clothing, and using sun screen. One severe sunburn before the age of 18 appears to significantly increase the risk for developing Melanoma. Eye damage can lead to cataracts and blindness when older. Each time children go outside – think of the clothes they wear – clothes that cover the body like long pants vs. shorts, shoes vs. sandals, long sleeves vs. sleeveless, etc.

When going outdoors everyone should wear a hat with at least a 3” brim. This will help protect the head, ears, neck, and face. The use of sunglasses will protect the eyes. Using sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor SPF 15 will give 2 hour’s of protection. Both lotion and lip balm should be applied 30 minutes before going outside. Use broad spectrum products that protect against both UVA and UBA rays.

Remember, there is never a safe season against the sun— protect yourself year round. For programs on Sun Safety, please contact Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Center at 828-255-5522.

Tick-Borne Disease

Ticks have become an increasing problem to people and animals in the United States. In order to survive and reproduce, a tick must feed on the blood from an animal or human.

What diseases are caused by ticks? A bite from a tick can cause anything from a mild irritation to, in the case of some ticks, paralysis. A large number of ticks on an animal can cause anemia, weight loss, and even death. Ticks can also transmit many diseases to humans.

In North Carolina, the most common tick-borne disease is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Ticks can cause several other illnesses and diseases such as Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis and Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI).

What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of tick-borne diseases may include:
fever
nausea
vomiting
muscle pain
lack of appetite
severe headache
rash
joint pain
These symptoms may occur from 3-30 days after a tick bite, depending on the disease. Tick borne illnesses should be treated by a doctor and most people will have a complete recovery.

How to prevent tick diseases:

Wear light-colored clothes that will allow you to see ticks that may get on you. Tuck your pants legs into your socks so that ticks cannot crawl up the inside of your pants.
Use a repellent to keep ticks from attaching. Repellents that contain permethrin can be sprayed on boots and clothes and will last for several days. Repellents that contain DEET (n, n-diethyl-m-toluamide) can be put on the skin, but will last only a few hours before more is needed. Use DEET carefully on children. Large amounts can be harmful.
Check your entire body for ticks after youve been in outdoor areas where ticks may be. Remove any tick you find. (See below for the safe way to remove a tick.) Parents should check their children for ticks, especially in the hair, when they have been in an area where ticks may be found. Ticks may be carried into the house on clothes or pets. They may not attach right away so both should be checked carefully to make sure that no ticks are present.

What is the best way to remove a tick?

Use fine-tipped tweezers, and protect your fingers with a tissue, paper towel, or latex gloves. Avoid removing ticks with bare hands.
Take hold of the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull up slowly until it comes off. Do not twist or jerk the tick. This may cause the mouth of the tick to break off and stay in the skin. (If this happens, remove mouth parts with tweezers. Call your doctor if you or your child gets sick. Be sure to tell them when you removed the tick).
After removing the tick wash the area well, and wash your hands with soap and water. Do not squeeze, crush, or puncture the body of the tick. The fluids inside may cause infection. If any of the tick fluids gets on your skin, clean the area very well with soap and water and disinfect with rubbing alcohol.
Place the tick in a plastic bag, close it well, and put it in your freezer. Write the date of the bite and how long the tick was attached on a piece of paper and place it in the bag. Saving the tick and this information may help your doctor to make an accurate diagnosis in case you get sick.

Did you know &

Ticks dont only feed on humans, dogs and cats. They also feed on many different kinds of mammals, birds, reptiles, and even amphibians.

For more information, visit the CDC website.

Leaves of Three, Let It Be

Along with the arrival of summertime and outdoor activities, comes the risk of an itchy case of poison ivy.

Poison ivy always has three leaflets at the end of a long stem. These three leaflets make up one leaf. The leaflets can vary quite a bit in their exact shape. Although poison ivy is usually thought of as a vine, it will often grow as a weak shrub, standing up 2 to 3 feet tall. Old vines climbing trees are easily recognized by the extremely hairy stem.

An established patch of poison ivy can be quite difficult to eradicate. The plant spreads by underground runners, so the root system can be very extensive. Individual small plants can be dug up or pulled when the ground is soft. A heavy infestation is best controlled with repeated herbicide applications.

Several herbicides are available for use on poison ivy. Products that are readily available for home use include the following ingredients: 2, 4-D (Weed-B- Gon, Southern Lawn Weed Killer, Wipe-out, others), glyphosate (Round-Up, KleerAway, Kleenup,others) and trichlopyr (Brush-B-Gon, Power Force Brush Killer and others). Products containing dicamba are also very effective, but should not be used over the root area of trees and shrubs. Be sure to follow label directions carefully for use and mixing rates of all herbicides. These products should be considered non-selective and will damage other plants.

Healthy Tip - Three Bs for Better Blood Pressure
What do broccoli, brown rice, and baked beans have in common? They're good sources of blood-pressure- friendly protein.

Because not just any kind of protein will do when you're trying to keep blood pressure under control. A diet high in vegetable protein -- not animal protein -- is key.

Amino Acids: The Answer?

Researchers aren't sure why veggie protein lowers blood pressure, but they suspect that the amino acids in veggies may simply be kinder, somehow, to blood pressure than the amino acids in animal protein. (Check out the top 10 most nutritious vegetables.) And the magnesium and other good- for-you nutrients found in veggies may enhance the blood-pressure-friendly effects by interacting synergistically with the amino acids. (Find more food sources of magnesium with this online tool.)
Source: www.realage.com

Healthy Tip - Summer Skin-Saver: Cucumbers!

Fresh, crunchy cucumbers are not only low in calories and high in fiber -- theyre also full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can feed your complexion from inside and out. Here's how:

Refresh and protect. Cucumbers contain vitamin C and caffeic acid, two antioxidants that, when applied to the skin, help fend off wrinkles, sun damage, and more. Vitamin C builds collagen and elastin, protein fibers that give skin its youthful plumpness. "Caffeic acid inhibits cancer cells and protects skin cells exposed to UV radiation," says New York dermatologist Amy Wechsler, MD. No wonder many spas offer hydrating face treatments made of crushed cucumber.

Home version for kitchen divas: In a blender, barely puree half a cucumber and 2 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt -- it should be thick, not drippy. Pat all over your face and neck, sit back for about 15 minutes, then rinse, and relish how good your skin feels.

Deflate puffy peepers. Chilled cucumber slices act like delicate mini ice packs, relieving puffy eyes. One reason: Cukes are 90% water, which helps them stay chilly even on hot spots. "Their cold minimizes the swelling by constricting the blood and lymph vessels that bring fluid to the eye area," says Dr. Wechsler.

Get the red out. Cucumbers' natural anti-inflammatories calm and soothe skin reddened by rosacea or sunburn. "Place thin, cold slices on the 'butterfly' region of your face, starting around your nose and spreading out onto your cheeks -- or anywhere there's redness," says Dr. Wechsler. After a 15-minute lie-down, remove, then apply a light moisturizer.

Pamper every inch. If you're feeling adventurous, try this super skin softener used in Korean bathhouses. Grate a whole cucumber -- including the dark green peel, which is rich in skin- friendly potassium, magnesium, and copper, says Dr. Wechsler. Stir in just enough milk and safflower oil -- two other skin wonders -- to make a thick soup, and warm it in the microwave. Then, using a loofah, scrub down your whole body with the mixture and shower off (make sure your drains got a good strainer). Your skin will feel satiny soft, and your bath and body will smell amazing.

Source: www.RealAge.com