June 2009 Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource Highlights Summer Skin Problems, Low Vision a...(eeds -- attach to the skin and feed on f...),Health

Ticks, most often found in grassy or wooded areas, are dark in color. They range from the size of a poppy seed to a pencil eraser. They leave behind red bumps or other skin reactions. And they can transmit Lyme disease, characterized by a distinctive bull's-eye rash, flulike symptoms and aching joints.

Prevention -- Protective clothing, long sleeves and long pants tucked into socks or shoes can keep bugs at bay. Insect repellants containing DEET offer protection. After a person is outdoors, a shower can wash away chiggers or unattached ticks. When ticks have burrowed into the skin, they need to be pulled off carefully with tweezers.

Treatment -- Over-the-counter hydrocortisone can relieve itching from chigger bites. For rashes that spread or seem to be infected, a doctor's care is needed. For tick bites, or when symptoms of Lyme disease are present, consultation with a physician is advised. Antibiotics are necessary to treat Lyme disease.

When Vision Dims, Some Tools Can Help Maintain Independence

ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Many devices can help people with low vision -- a permanent partial loss of eyesight that makes everyday tasks difficult.

The June issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource discusses low vision, what it is, the causes and the supplementary tools available when prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery don't improve vision sufficiently.

Low vision is not the normal difficulty reading the small print that can accompany aging. Low vision is caused by eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy or retinitis pigmentosa. Vision loss
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