Tick, Tack, Toe

Hey Woodbridge Patchers,

I wanted to share some summer time tips with you. I know what your thinking, "oh man, she's back," but I promise this is worth the read.

As far as the title goes, they did not change the spelling of our childhood game. Tick as in little bug with big problems. This year it is going to be bad, just ask the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, no really ask them.

There are about a dozen or so diseases that you can get from ticks. Lets not forget that there are also different types of ticks that populate different locations. Did you know there was a lone star tick and a brown dog tick too?

What are they trying to do make us feel all warm and fuzzy? Not to worry, our geographic location makes us home to most of them. So we must avoid them like the plague. Use DEET or Permethrin.

Spray on Permethrin on clothes and it stays around a few cycles. For your pooch use dusts, collars, sprays, or topical goo that you can find at any pet store. Pets still have to be checked every single day! ACFM (another chore for mom). But you can check out the details over at the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/avoid/index.html.

Next on the list, tack! As in the bottom of your new flip flops. There are way too many accidents related to the exposed foot. Make sure that just because it is warm out that JR has on the appropriate pair of shoes. The famous rubber ones are great for running an errand or two, but not the playground.

Think about it like this, their feet will touch whatever last touched the ground. Umm I don't think so! Make sure the straps or laces don't drag. For some reason this gets overlooked in the summer. Can we say Tetanus shot?! Not worth it.

Keep them clean and dry too, all kinds of goodies can be found in moisture. It might be a good idea to use that accessory that reminds all parents who they are, the diaper bag. Finally toe, I bet you thought that I was going to use toe for the whole shoe sermon, gotcha.

What is one place we forget to apply sunscreen in the summer? Little piggies. We have so many options for sunscreen now, sprays, creams, lotions and potions. Whats the point of getting a pretty pedi if we don't do the maintenance work.

Often times as good of a skin check we think we do, we forget about our toes. Remember if it looks suspect, have it checked out. Better safe than sorry. Don't believe me, read this story about a woman who lost her toe!  I hope that I don't sound like your mother, but I know how easy it is to be caught up in the summer sun and trying to leave your worries behind. Just remember, TICK, TACK, TOE!

Always Ready (usually),

Nisi

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