Sep 14, 2012 | Dr. Goo's Corner, Wildlife
With cooler weather moving in it is the time of year where wildlife such as squirrels, rodents, raccoons, etc, begin to take refuge in your home. Animal control is important for the health of your home. Rodents make for unsanitary conditions by urinating, leaving droppings, chewing on wires, insulation, and other items in the attic, and can often carry disease. Some rodents can be dangerous and will attack if they feel that they or their young are in danger.
A common concern for wildlife is the threat of rabies. Rabies is a serious illness so we went to our health expert, Dr. Goo. Below, Dr. Goo talks about the risk rabies:
Rabies is a viral illness that can cause death and serious illness if untreated. If treated quickly and appropriately almost everyone can be cured of rabies.
The most important way to avoid rabies is to not be bitten or exposed to animals that potentially may have the rabies virus.
The most common animal exposures to rabies are from wild animals. Bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes and coyotes are the primary animals that carry rabies in the United States.
Pets can be protected from rabies by getting their rabies shots annually. Domestic animals rarely transmit rabies.
If you think you may have been exposed or bitten by an animal that has rabies you should call the Georgia Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. You should also notify your doctor.
Remember, prevention and avoidance are the best defense against rabies.
Northwest Exterminating offers Wildlife Control for you and your family. The Wildlife Services Team specializes in the exclusion, removal, and control of wildlife nuisances like bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes and coyotes – the most common causes of rabies exposure.
For more detailed information about rabies exposure, treatment, prevention, and protection, please visit the Center for Disease Control and the Georgia Poison Center.
Dr. Goo
Jun 18, 2012 | Dr. Goo's Corner
Dr. Goo, My husband got stung by a hornet this weekend and now it is itchy. What should we do?
For an itchy hornet or other insect sting:Apply a paste of baking soda and water as soon as possible after being stung. This will help to relive the pain. If the stinger is left in the skin, gently remove it using tweezers. Otherwise, you can use a combination of benadryl gel or cream (diphenhydramine) topically and/or a steroid cream (hydrocortisone 1%) which are both over the counter. If it is really itchy you can take some oral benadryl (25mg) but that tends to make people sleepy. Keep the area clean by washing it twice daily with soap and water and seek medical care if it looks like it is getting infected.
Hope it gets better soon!
Dr. Goo
Do you have a question for Dr. Goo?
Disclaimer: These tips are general medical information and do not constitute medical advice. Please contact your physician for information about yourself or your family member.
Jun 18, 2012 | Dr. Goo's Corner
Dr. Goo, My husband got stung by a hornet this weekend and now it is itchy. What should we do?
For an itchy
hornet or other
insect sting:Apply a paste of baking soda and water as soon as possible after being stung. This will help to relive the pain. If the stinger is left in the skin, gently remove it using tweezers. Otherwise, you can use a combination of benadryl gel or cream (diphenhydramine) topically and/or a steroid cream (hydrocortisone 1%) which are both over the counter. If it is really itchy you can take some oral benadryl (25mg) but that tends to make people sleepy. Keep the area clean by washing it twice daily with soap and water and seek medical care if it looks like it is getting infected.
Hope it gets better soon!
Dr. Goo
Do you have a question for Dr. Goo?
Disclaimer: These tips are general medical information and do not constitute medical advice. Please contact your physician for information about yourself or your family member.
Apr 30, 2012 | Dr. Goo's Corner
Disclaimer: These tips are general medical information and do not constitute medical advice. Please contact your physician for information about yourself or your family member.
How do I know if I, or my child, has an allergy to mosquitoes?
Usually people who ask this question already suspect they have an allergy to mosquito bites. When they get bitten they get large swollen bumps that are red, itchy and painful. These bumps tend to last longer than mosquito bites for other people and they cause more discomfort. The reaction may not be classified as a true “allergy” but the problem is a larger release of histamine and other immunoglobulins that cause inflammation.
These people have a more severe reaction to the proteins that mosquitoes inject into the bite to keep the blood from clotting. The reaction is usually a large red whelp that itches, swells and is very uncomfortable. Although these bites are very irritating, it is rare to have a serious allergic reaction to a mosquito bite. Life threatening reactions would include difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, fainting or swelling all over.
If you or your child has a more severe reaction to mosquito bites than others, you may have what is known as the “Skeeter Syndrome.” People that have the “Skeeter Syndrome” have more severe reactions and will have larger, itchier and more painful bumps associated with the bites. The bites can also cause blisters and be associated with infections if the bites are scratched until they are open and bleeding. True mosquito allergies can be diagnosed with allergy testing.
What to do if you are allergic?
The first thing to do is to avoid the mosquito bites in the first place. Have Northwest Exterminating, or your local exterminator, provide your home with a mosquito treatment. Also, cover your body when you go out and use an insect repellent, such as DEET.
If you do get bitten, you can use an anti-histamine like Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for the itching. You can take the anti-histamine by mouth or use preparations that can be placed topically on the bite. Anti-inflammatory creams like hydrocortisone may also be used. If the bite is scratched open, you will want to wash it daily and apply an antibiotic ointment to keep them from being infected.
If you have severe allergic symptoms like respiratory distress, swelling of the body, face, mouth or throat you will need to go directly to the emergency department.
Thanks,
Dr. Goo
Do you have a question for Dr. Goo? Click HERE to submit your question.
Apr 30, 2012 | Dr. Goo's Corner
Disclaimer: These tips are general medical information and do not constitute medical advice. Please contact your physician for information about yourself or your family member.
How do I know if I, or my child, has an allergy to mosquitoes?
Usually people who ask this question already suspect they have an allergy to mosquito bites. When they get bitten they get large swollen bumps that are red, itchy and painful. These bumps tend to last longer than mosquito bites for other people and they cause more discomfort. The reaction may not be classified as a true “allergy” but the problem is a larger release of histamine and other immunoglobulins that cause inflammation.
These people have a more severe reaction to the proteins that mosquitoes inject into the bite to keep the blood from clotting. The reaction is usually a large red whelp that itches, swells and is very uncomfortable. Although these bites are very irritating, it is rare to have a serious allergic reaction to a mosquito bite. Life threatening reactions would include difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, fainting or swelling all over.
If you or your child has a more severe reaction to mosquito bites than others, you may have what is known as the “Skeeter Syndrome.” People that have the “Skeeter Syndrome” have more severe reactions and will have larger, itchier and more painful bumps associated with the bites. The bites can also cause blisters and be associated with infections if the bites are scratched until they are open and bleeding. True mosquito allergies can be diagnosed with allergy testing.
What to do if you are allergic?
The first thing to do is to avoid the mosquito bites in the first place. Have Northwest Exterminating, or your local exterminator, provide your home with a mosquito treatment. Also, cover your body when you go out and use an insect repellent, such as DEET.
If you do get bitten, you can use an anti-histamine like Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for the itching. You can take the anti-histamine by mouth or use preparations that can be placed topically on the bite. Anti-inflammatory creams like hydrocortisone may also be used. If the bite is scratched open, you will want to wash it daily and apply an antibiotic ointment to keep them from being infected.
If you have severe allergic symptoms like respiratory distress, swelling of the body, face, mouth or throat you will need to go directly to the emergency department.
Thanks,
Dr. Goo
Do you have a question for Dr. Goo? Click HERE to submit your question.
