Health & Wellness Newsletter
May 2021- Attleboro Public School Nurse
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May is #MentalHealthMonth
Community Counseling of Bristol County (CCBC) 24-hour access number: 1-800-660-4300
Massachusetts Emergency/Crisis Services 1 (887) 382-1609
National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1 (800) 273-8255
Department of Mental Health Southeast Area
Parents Guide to Getting Good Care - Child Mind Institute
Protect Your Skin
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, affecting more than 5 million people. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun causes most skin cancers and can be deadly.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. As you head outdoors for warmer weather and fresh air, the American Academy of Dermatology encourages you to #PracticeSafeSun. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., and unprotected UV exposure is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer.
To protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays and reduce your risk:
- Seek shade when possible
- Wear sun-protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses
- Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
- Annual skin exams with your doctor
STOP THE SPREAD of COVID-19
COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. There continues to be widespread community level transmission in Massachusetts
- Check your child for signs of illness every day
- DO NOT go to school/work if you have any COVID-19 symptoms
- If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, even if they are mild, please contact your healthcare provider and a test site near you to schedule a test.
- Do not go to school/work if have been tested for COVID-19 and are waiting for results
- Pick up your child for dismissal as soon as possible. Have back up plans if you not available.
- Wear well-fitted masks where required
- Maintain social distancing
- Frequent hand washing
- Adherence to Isolation and Quarantine Guidelines
- Consider participating in Pool Surveillance Testing
- Follow MA Travel Advisory
- Contact your building nurse with any questions or concerns
COVID-19 Vaccine
The COVID-19 vaccine is free. Trust the facts. Get the Vax.
People age 16 + who live, work, or study in Massachusetts can be vaccinated.
Find a vaccination appointment near you
Pool Testing
As all students begin to return to in-person learning, the state of Massachusetts is hopeful their new COVID-19 pool testing program "will provide additional safeguards to stop the spread and give students, parents, teachers and staff confidence that it is safe to be in schools,” Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said.
The Attleboro Public School District began using Ginkgo Bioworks Pool Surveillance Testing for students and staff in February. The district will continue to conduct weekly pool testing through the end of the school year. School Nurses will administer BinaxNow rapid antigen testing to individuals in a positive pool. Any positive cases will result in close contract tracing.
You can consent to the testing anytime. If you provided consent for the Pooled Surveillance Testing prior to 1/26/21, you will need to complete this updated consent. Use this link to the online process for providing consent for COVID-19 pool testing.
Mosquitoes and Ticks
Prevention tips:
- Use a repellent with DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the instructions given on the product label.
- Remove areas of standing water around your home.
- Keep mosquitoes out of your house by repairing any holes in your screens and making sure they are tightly attached to all your doors and windows.
Deer ticks and dog ticks are found throughout Massachusetts. Deer ticks are responsible for spreading Lyme disease and dog ticks are responsible for spreading Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Prevention tips:
- Check yourself, your children and your pets for ticks after coming inside.
- Ticks are tiny, so look for new "freckles".
- If you find a tick attached to your skin, use a pair of fine point tweezers to grip the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out with steady pressure.
- Wear a light-colored, long-sleeved shirt with long pants and tuck your pants into your socks.
- Use bug repellents. Repellents that contain DEET can be used on your exposed skin.
- Talk to your doctor if you develop a rash where you were bitten or experience symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, or sore and aching muscles.
- Talk to your veterinarian about the best ways to protect your pets from ticks
Homemade Bug Spray
Here are four simple homemade bug sprays from The Old Farmer's Almanac you can make using essential oils, based on your scent preference:
- 2 cups witch hazel, 11/2 tsp. lemongrass or citronella oil, and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar.
- 1 cup isopropyl alcohol, 1 cup water, 1/2 tsp. catnip oil.
- 1 cup alcohol or witch hazel and 10-20 drops of essential oils such as lemongrass, peppermint, or lemon eucalyptus.
- 1 qt. vinegar, 1/2 tsp. pennyroyal oil, 1 tsp. lemon eucalyptus oil, 1 tsp. orange oil, and 1 tsp. citronella oil.
WORDS OF CAUTION
- Be aware that some herbs and oils can be harmful or irritating. Lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under the age of 3 or pregnant or nursing mothers.
- Pregnant women should also avoid pennyroyal.
- Test any homemade bug spray for possible allergic reactions before using it liberally.
- Sprays made with vinegar may sting and smell a bit pickle-y until they dry.
- Oils may stain clothing.
Label your mixture with its ingredients and store in a dark-colored bottle or keep in a dark spot to prolong its effectiveness.
Bristol County Mosquito Control Project
Contact Information:
Priscilla Matton, Superintendent
38R Forest Street, Attleboro, MA 02703
Phone: 508-823-5253
Fax: 508-828-1868
Priscilla.Matton@massmail.state.ma.us
Poison Ivy
Here are tips for treating the itchy rash and blisters:
- Don’t scratch the blisters
- Use wet compresses or soak in cool water
- Applying topical over-the-counter (OTC) skin protectants, such as zinc oxide and calamine lotion
- Applying OTC topical corticosteroid preparations or taking prescription oral corticosteroids.
- See a doctor if you have a fever; the rash spreads to eyes, mouth, or genital area; there is pus, soft yellow scab or tenderness to area; the itching keeps you up at night; the rash does not improve within a few weeks.