Summer brings more than people to the outdoors

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Whitney Pardo & Airman 1st Class Brittany Johnson
  • 48th Aeromedical Squadron, Public Health Flight
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The summer is fast approaching, and with better weather more families are starting to venture outdoors. With warm weather comes great fun, but we must not forget about the hazards. Snakes and ticks aren't the first thing to pop into mind when you think outdoor hazards, but they indeed pose a threat to our outdoor adventurers.

Most snakes and reptiles in the U.K. are non-venomous and don't pose a threat, but Vipera berus (the adder snake, also known as the viper) is an exception. The first step in protection and prevention is avoidance.
 
Adders are short and robust in appearance with large heads and rounded snouts. Both males and females have the zigzag pattern running along the back and/or an "X" shaped marking at the rear of the head. Males can be silver, yellow and green in color with vivid black markings. Female adders are brown with dark red-brown markings. Adders are generally docile in nature and will not strike unless agitated.

If you spot a snake or any reptile that could potentially harm you, do not pick it up. The most common snake bites occur on the hand due to the curiosity of the victims. On the rare chance that you or your loved ones get bitten while off base, contact the nearest medical treatment facility by dialing 999. Although the last fatality occurred more than 35 years ago, we must always remain vigilant and never underestimate the power behind the bite.

Another overlooked threat is the small but disease-carrying tick. They are not as easy to spot as snakes, due to their size, but are just as critical. Ticks carry many diseases; the most common in the U.K. is Lyme disease, which is carried by Ixodes ricinus (wood ticks, also known as deer ticks).

When outdoors, avoid areas that are wooded and bushy with high grass and a lot of leaf litter. These areas have a high prevalence of ticks, and avoiding them is the first step in prevention. Be sure to use insect repellent with 20 to 30 percent DEET on exposed skin and clothing. Wear long pants, long sleeves and long socks to keep ticks off your skin. Tucking pant legs into socks or boots and tucking shirts into pants help keep ticks on the outside of clothing.

When participating in activities such as hiking, bike riding and any other outdoor activities, always have a buddy to perform tick checks. Light-colored clothing will help you or your buddy spot ticks easily. If a tick is spotted on your clothing, remove it immediately and thoroughly check the rest of your body. When removing ticks from the skin, use fine-tipped tweezers to firmly grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible without crushing the body. If you do not have a pair of tweezers, a credit card or ID card will suffice.

Please remember that burning the tick is not an effective method of removal and could possibly lead to the transmission of disease. If a tick is attached to your skin for less than 24 hours, your chance of getting Lyme disease is very small. Although the chance may be small, if you notice any changes such as rash, fatigue, chills, fever, headache and muscle or joint aches, please seek medical attention as soon as possible.

All in all, this summer is going to be hot with plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. Be sure to stay vigilant, and always use your personal protection equipment to make this summer safe, fun and hazard free! If you have any questions, please contact Public Health at 226-8777.