As I write, there is at long last a glimpse of sun – so just a reminder to remember your sunscreen and hat – and to remind you how getting out and doing some exercise is good both for your mental wellbeing as well as blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Do keep a look out for ticks if walking in long grass though. Their bite is not always painful and you may not notice a tick unless you see it on your skin. Do check for ticks on your clothes and skin as well as your children and pets after being outdoors.
It is easy to remove a tick – use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool. You can buy these from some pharmacies, vets, pet shops or a well know supplier via the internet!
Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and slowly pull upwards, taking care not to squeeze or crush the tick. Dispose of it when you have removed it and clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water.
The chance of getting ill from a tick bite is low. You do not need to do anything else unless you notice a rash or become unwell.
On another note, one of our patients, Viv Worrall, (we have her consent to give her details!) and Rosie, our practice manager, are planning to tackle 24 peaks (including Scafell Pike England’s highest mountain) in 24 hours in September in an attempt to raise much needed funds for Julia’s House Children’s Hospice.
Full details are given in the link below and if you felt able to sponsor them, I’m sure they – and more importantly the hospice – would be enormously grateful. The hospice receives very little Government funding (8%) and relies hugely on donations.
or google ‘Just Giving’ and search for ‘Rosemary Eacott’ or ‘Vivienne Worrall’.
Just Giving sends your donation straight to Julia’s House and automatically reclaims Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer, so your donation is worth even more.
By the time I next write the general election will be upon us – it will be interesting to see what the new Government’s plans are for primary care and the NHS!
Dr. Adam Smith