Here’s what you need to know from our DoctorsCare experts.

With warmer weather comes mosquitoes and ticks. Your immediate concern might be about the spread of COVID-19 through a mosquito bite or tick. According to the World Health Organization – “To date, there has been no information nor evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes. The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus that spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.”

Now that that is out of the way, there is still a concern about tick and mosquito bites. Here is what the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), recommends:

To protect yourself and your family from tick and mosquito bites, use insect repellent with one of these active ingredients:

• DEET
• Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the US)
• IR3435
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
• Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone

You can find the insect repellent that’s right for you by using EPS’ search tool.

More tips:

• Reapply insect repellent as directed.
  • Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.
  • If you are using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.
• Do not apply insect repellent to a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, cuts, or irritated skin.
  • Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to child’s face.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
  • Dress children in clothing that covers arms and legs.
  • Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.

TICKS!

If you find a tick, don’t panic! Just remove the tick as soon as possible. Here is what the CDC says about tick removal:

• Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
• Pull upward with steady, even pressure.
  • Don’t twist or jerk the tick as this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin.
• After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
• Never crush a tick with your fingers. Dispose of a live tick by putting it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing down the toilet.

AVOID FOLKLORE!

Avoid remedies such as “painting” the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly, or using heat to make the tick detach from the skin. Your goal is to remove the tick as quickly as possible, not waiting for it to detach.

DoctorsCare wants you to stay healthy during this uncertain time. Please practice social distancing and wash your hands often.

DoctorsCare is also now offering Telehealth. Book a video visit and get access to DoctorsCare from the safety of your home. Learn more about Telehealth here.

We have 2 conveniently located offices in Clarksville:

• Sango – 2302 Madison Street (931) 245-2400
• St. Bethlehem – 2320 Wilma Rudolph Blvd. (931) 645-1564

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