But when being outdoors literally bugs you, your health can suffer. Those little no-see-ums and critters like fleas, ticks and mosquitoes can spread illnesses and diseases. While these annoying and potentially infectious bugs should not restrict your enjoyment of the outdoors, you should be aware of the potential for health problems they can cause. Knowledge is power – prevent and protect yourself from illness by educating yourself.
How Insects Can Affect Your Health
There are many different species of insects that can make you sick, and the existence of various types of insects varies by geographic region. However, some types of insects are commonly associated with the spread of disease.
- You may come into contact with fleas when outdoors or if a pet brings them from the outdoors into your home. Health concerns associated with fleas include parasitic dermatitis, an allergic reaction of the skin when exposed to flea bites, which can be uncomfortable. Severe cases of parasitic dermatitis can cause infection and hair loss in inflamed, itchy areas of the skin. Antibiotics may be used to treat infections related to parasitic dermatitis, and antihistamines can curb itching. Fleas also spread Bartonella, or "cat scratch fever." This illness can cause fever, sore throat and other flu-like symptoms, which are usually treated with antibiotics. Rickettsiae ailments are also linked to flea bites. This family of illnesses includes typhus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, flea-borne spotted fever and tick bite fever. Finally, tapeworms can be spread by fleas and are a parasite of the digestive tract. The potential to become very ill is a reality with these ailments, and hospitalization can be required. Treatment and medication is dependent on the type of illness and the severity of the symptoms.
- Ticks can be especially problematic in some regions during warmer weather. Ticks can attach themselves to the skin outside or can be carried into the house on clothing, shoes or animals. Ticks are responsible for spreading Lyme disease, a bacterial illness transmitted specifically through the bite of this parasitic insect. Lyme disease can cause severe health complications and is often indicated by symptoms like lethargy, anorexia and fever. Lyme disease can cause life-long effects but also can be treated and managed successfully in many cases. Ticks also spread ehrlichiosis, which is a bacterial infection. Ehrlichiosis infects the white blood cells of the body and destroys them. This infection causes serious symptoms such as enlarged lymph nodes, swollen spleen, weight loss, anemia and lethargy. Aggressive antibiotic therapy is needed to treat ehrlichiosis successfully. Meningoencephalitis is another tick-borne disease that infects the nervous system. Seizures, severe pain, fever and even paralysis can be results of meningoencephalitis and aggressive antibiotics, and sometimes anticonvulsants are required to treat this infection.
- Mosquitoes are annoying, blood-sucking pests. Itchy, puffy welts accompany most mosquito bites, and while uncomfortable, they're usually easy to treat. However, there could be more sinister consequences associated with a mosquito bite. West Nile virus and the equine encephalitis virus are both potential health risks linked to mosquitos. Both viruses affect humans and can involve symptoms such as headache, fever and flu-like ailments. Severe cases of either virus have been known to cause serious effects such as seizures, abnormal behavior, coma and even death. It may seem unbelievable, but according to the World Health Organization, mosquitoes are the most lethal animals on the planet! That's because they account for approximately 725,000 deaths annually from infections such as malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever and encephalitis.
The best approach to protecting yourself from illness associated with insect bites is to take preventive measures when you know you’ll be outdoors. The following simple tips can help keep you safe.
- Wear appropriate clothing. Dress for the occasion. For example, if you are planning a hike in dense woods where ticks are likely to be a concern, cover your skin and tuck your pants into your boots to prevent the bugs from crawling up your legs. If you know you’ll be outdoors in the evening and nighttime hours when mosquitos are rampant, wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and shoes with socks. Protect your skin from easy access. Loose-fitting clothes typically protect better than tight clothes, which mosquitos and other insects can easily bite through.
- Use insect repellent. There is a variety of options available for insect repellents -- from the traditional DEET versions to organic and hypoallergenic options to home remedies. Do some research and find out what makes sense for you and your family and try different solutions until you determine what works best.
- Use special repellents. Candles, torches, bug zappers or other pest-blasting solutions are readily available to help you keep these health threats at bay when you spend time outdoors. Do some research to find an option you’re comfortable with and test some possibilities until you find what works for your patio or yard.