Staying Healthy During Pandemic-SKIN CARE (sun, ticks, poison ivy)

Staying home, social distancing, and washing your hands frequently are all great ways to avoid becoming infected with Coronavirus. 

Health Services will use this time to present other tips for keeping you strong and healthy in body & spirit during these weeks of isolation.  We’ll look at topics like exercise, nutrition, skin care, and staying connected.

Today we want to talk about Skin care.

After several weeks of isolating at home, the sunshine, warmth, and signs of springtime are such a welcome change.  Spending time in nature will refresh your body and spirit, but there are a few necessary precautions to keep in mind.

• Protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun.  Dermatologists recommend that you apply a sunscreen with at least 30 SPF before spending time in the sun.  Reapply every 2 hours, or more often if you swim or perspire heavily. https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/
• Ticks are already active in the area!  Be sure to check your entire body (and your pets’ body) for ticks when you come back inside.  The chance of contracting a tick-borne illness is greatly reduced if ticks are removed PROMPTLY! https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html
• Poison ivy can cause an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals even before the leaves are green and full.  If you are sensitive to poison ivy, it is recommended that you wash with soap & water to remove the plant resin from your skin as soon as you come back inside.  Don’t forget to wash the resin from your clothing, shoe laces, gardening tools, etc. https://www.healthline.com/health/outdoor-health/poison-ivy-pictures-remedies

Just as surely as the long, dark winter comes to an end, this pandemic too will end.  Spend some time outside engaging your senses: smell the freshly cut grass, listen to the birds singing, and admire the beautiful buds and flowers.  Enjoy this hopeful season and let it bring you some peace in these uncertain times.