HOW TO PREVENT MOSQUITO AND TICK BITES
By Ji Yon Kwon, M.D.
June/July 2017
Warm weather and vacation mean the arrival of summer and an increased risk for mosquito and tick bites. While most outdoor and indoor bug bites 
in the US remain harmless, some insects spread viruses and bacteria which can be serious and sometimes deadly. The good news is that you can take simple steps to protect yourself from insect bites.
First, if you are planning for an outdoor activity, cover exposed skin as much as possible. Clothing should be thick to prevent bugs biting through it. To discourage tick bites, it is helpful to tuck your shirt into pants, and pants into socks.
Secondly, use EPA-registered insect repellents on your clothing and exposed skin. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends repellents which contain at least 20% DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), or para-menthane-diol (PMD). (* Permethrin should not be sprayed directly on the skin.) Use sunscreen first on exposed skin, followed by repellent, instead of using products which contain both sunscreen and repellent. The EPA-registered repellents are safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women but should not be used on infants younger than 2 months old. To protect an infant, use mosquito netting. Products that contain OLE or PMD should not be used on children under 3 years old.
Thirdly, it is important to check everyone for ticks and take a good shower with soap and water after an outdoor activity. If you find a tick, use tweezers to remove it and rub the bite area with isopropyl alcohol. Notify your physician if you remove an embedded tick so, if appropriate, you can be prescribed a dose of Doxycycline to prevent transmission of Lyme disease.
Fourth, if you plan to travel abroad, check the CDC website to determine if your destination has any travel health notices. All pregnant women should consider postponing travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. If a pregnant woman has to travel to such areas, she should be advised to strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites and discuss with a doctor for further plans. It is important to call your doctor if you develop a rash or fever after an insect bite.
Ji Yon Kwon, M.D. Internal Medicine – Board Certified Joining Drs. Elizabeth Bower & Risa Huber * Awarded “Top Docs” in Baltimore Magazine Saint Agnes Medical Group – Waverly Woods 10711 Birmingham Way Woodstock, MD 21163 Ph: 410-480-1895 www.SaintAgnesDocs.com
