Dr. Rippe's Blog

Summertime is outdoor time. Whether you are outside for recreation or for work, it's important to remember to protect yourself and your family against insect bites. Public health officials specifically alert citizens to protect against mosquito and tick bites.

In addition to uncomfortable itching, mosquito bites in some areas of the country may carry the risk of West Nile Virus. Bites from blacklegged (deer) ticks may carry risk of Lyme Disease and the common dog tick the risk of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Even if such risks are small in your region, it makes sense to protect yourself and your kids from insect bites.

Using an insect repellent with DEET can protect against both mosquito and tick bites. Apply to exposed skin and to clothing. And remember to reapply after a couple of hours or so. There are also repellents containing permethrin that may be applied only to clothing, never to skin. You can read more from the CDC about protecting yourself against mosquito bites and tick bites.

You can also avoid many mosquito bites by staying indoors during the early morning and at dusk, times when many biting mosquitos are most active. With regard to ticks, when you have been outdoors, particularly in leafy or woody areas, do a careful body check for ticks. The CDC website above also describes how to safely remove ticks.

Have more fun outdoors this summer by taking a moment to protect yourself and your children against insect bites.

Traditionally Memorial Day is the beginning of summer fun all across the land. It's also the first time many of us fish around in the linen closet for the sunscreen (even though dermatologists recommend using sunscreen year round when outdoors). Are you and your family ready? Sunburn and extended exposure to the sun's UVB and UVA rays have been linked to a greater risk of sun cancers. But there are good products available to protect everyone from the youngest to oldest member of the family

Here from the American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD) are a few tips.

• Pick a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Look for the AAD Seal of Recognition (TM).
• Choose an SPF of at least 15.  Increasing SPF increases protection slightly but no sunscreen blocks 100% of UVB. For example, SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB wherease SPF 30 blocks 97%.
• Apply the sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before you go outside. And use enough--about an ounce to cover all exposed skin on an adult. What people usually apply is only 25 to 50% of the recommended amount so be generous.
• A water-resistant sunscreen is a good idea. But even with a water resistant sunscreen reply about every two hours.
• No matter how much sunscreen you wear and how religiously you reapply it, don't stay out in the sun or allow your children to stay out in the sun for very extended periods of time, particularly in the hottest/brightest times of the day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Remember that even on a cloudy day, up to 80% of the UV radiation gets through the clouds.

For more information, read Facts About Sunscreens from the American Academy of Dermatologists.  Don't forget the sunscreen and enjoy your summer!

When economic times are tough, the crooks and con artists step up their attempts to steal your financial information and then your money. Their favorite means of attack? Online through your computer. But you can do a lot to protect yourself. First, you need to recognize the general types of attack. Second, you need to take steps to protect your computer.

Three popular types of online attack are malware, phishing, and email scams. 

• Malware is software that has a malicious intent; these include spyware, viruses and keystroke loggers (these log all your keystrokes including account passwords). Cybercrooks get these onto your computer through enticing websites, pop-up messages (one says "dangerous spyware detected on your computer"--when you click, it downloads some), downloads (as with a games from many sources) and email.
• Phishing tries to get your info primarily through emails or pop-up messages. It may appear to come from your bank or financial institution and typically asks you to click on a link.  Never click on links in such emails. Financial institutions never use this way to communicate with customers because of the dangers. If you don't know who sent the email (or even if you do but it looks suspicious), don't click.
• Email scams include bogus product offers, pleas to help folks get money out of some foreign country (or realize sweepstake winnings) and the like.

What can you do to protect yourself and your children?  First, install and keep up-to-date security software for your computer. Also keep your operating system up-to-date. Don't click on links embedded in emails, particularly from unknown sources. Same goes for opening attachments. Download programs only from trusted sources. You can learn lots more at www.OnGuardOnline.gov-- a site sponsored by the federal goverment and the technology industry.

The last additional stress you need is trying to recover stolen money or restore messed up accounts. So take pre-emptive action and ramp up your online security soon for greater peace of mind.