Nature is the home to an incredibly versatile array of species, but ticks are definitely one of those that we tend to avoid at all costs.
These tiny arachnids, that are related to spiders, mites, and scorpions, are in fact parasites that survive by attaching themselves to larger animals and feeding on their blood. Humans aren’t spared either. Sadly, these insects carry harmful bacteria that can spread disease to people.
Sadly, tick-borne diseases are at an all-time high, with about 50,000 cases reported each year, and far more going unreported.
There are different types of ticks, and unfortunately, they sometimes find their way to people’s homes. The types most commonly found in homes are the black-legged tick, the dog tick, and the brown dog tick.
- Black-legged Ticks – known as deer ticks, these ticks are typically brown or black in color and have a flattened, oval-shaped body. They are commonly found in wooded areas and can transmit Lyme disease.
- Dog Ticks are larger and can range in color from brown to reddish-brown. They have a tough, shield-shaped body. Dog ticks can transmit diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
- Brown Dog Ticks are brown in color and have a slender body.
Although the tick season is between March and October, or sometimes longer, we should be wary of this insects all year round. In fact,if beaten by a tick, a person can develop symptoms even after two or three months.
The bite itself isn’t painful and can cause swelling, itchiness, blistering, and bruising. The bad thing is that ticks also carry and transmit severe diseases, most commonly Lyme disease, as well as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and babesiosis.
Initially, Lyme disease develops as a circular red ‘bull’s eye’ rash around the site of a tick bite. However, not everyone gets a rash and you should also watch out for a flu-like illness with fever, headache, tiredness and general aches and pains.
The best way to prevent being bitten by a tick is to avoid tall grasses and areas where ticks thrive (such as moorlands and woodlands), especially during the warmer months.
In case you do get bitten, you should remove the tick as soon as possible in order to prevent infections.
These are some of the ways of safe removal.
- Use fine-tipped tweezers: Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Pull gently: Apply steady upward pressure, being careful not to squeeze or crush the tick. Aim to remove the tick in one smooth motion without twisting or jerking. Twisting or jerking can cause the tick’s head to break off and stay inside the skin, where it can still transmit disease.
- Clean the area: After removing the tick, clean the affected area with soap and water or an antiseptic solution. Monitor the site of the bite for any signs of infection or a rash, and consult a healthcare professional if necessary.
If by any chance ticks find their way into your home, take immediate action in order to prevent infestation. Most times, ticks are brought into your home in case they stick on your clothes or onto your pets.
- Isolate the area: If you have identified the presence of ticks in a specific area, keep pets and children away from that space.
- Wear protective gear: Put on gloves and a long-sleeved shirt to protect yourself from potential tick bites.
- Clean the area: Clean the area where you found the tick. If it is in bedding, wash the sheets. Inspect the area to ensure there are no more ticks that are present. Dispose of the tick by either flushing it down the toilet or sealing it in a container or ziplock bag before placing it in the trash.
Emotional last photo of Kris Kristofferson moves fans to tears
With Kris Kristofferson’s demise, a remarkable period has come to a close. He was not just a talented musician and composer, but also a poet who was able to express all of life’s true feelings, including love, loss, and everything in between.
Numerous hearts were moved by his poignant voice and strong remarks.
And now, his farewell image has his fans in tears.
The devastating news of Kris Kristofferson’s passing has left a void in my heart.
His influence on those of us who grew up listening to his music feels unreplaceable. Now that Willie Nelson is the last member of The Highwaymen still alive, we are reminded of a time that is passing away and that influenced American music and culture.
But Kristofferson’s life extended well beyond his membership in the storied country supergroup. His career took off in the 1960s, and he wrote timeless hits like “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” and “For the Good Times.” He had roots in both Texas and Sweden. His lyrics were poetry that expressed the human predicament in all its unadulterated glory rather than merely lyrics to tunes.
Most guys would need twelve lifetimes to do what Kris did in just one. In addition to being a multi-platinum performer, he was a shining figure on screen, costarring with Barbra Streisand in A figure Is Born (1976), for which he won a Golden Globe.
“He was unique in his way.”
“I saw Kris perform for the first time at the Troubadour club in Los Angeles. “I knew he was something special,” Streisand, who costarred with him, wrote on Instagram. “He looked like the ideal fit for a script I was drafting, which became into A Star Is Born, because he was barefoot and strumming his guitar.”
In addition, Kristofferson was a Rhodes scholar, an Army ranger, a helicopter pilot, and most importantly, a storyteller. Channing Wilson, a country music musician from Georgia, stated it so beautifully on Instagram: “Kris, you left this world better than you found it.” His work touched generations of people.
Even more amazing than the pictures and music was Kris’s heart. He supported gender equality and civil rights as social justice causes. He continued to be involved in collecting money and publicity for causes like the United Farm Workers (UFW) even in his latter years.
Last Instagram picture On September 28, Chris went away quietly at home in Maui, Hawaii. The reason of death was not stated.
Fans immediately showered Kris’s Instagram with accolades, recounting how his music had impacted their own lives. But the image that really touched people was his final one, which was posted online by legendary country music performer Tanya Tucker in April of this year.
Kris and Tanya, who stand next to each other in the picture, symbolize the heyday of country music. Kris is grinning subtly while sporting a Muhammad Ali T-shirt. Even if his formerly rugged features have softened with age, the man’s spirit is still evident. The youthful, handsome man with a beard is no more, but what’s left is a legend – a man whose presence is palpable even in his advanced years.
Just a few months before he passed away, fans had one more chance to see the guy they adored in one farewell photo. Kris Kristofferson was defined by his quiet strength and his glint in his eye.
Thus, let’s remember this American icon by playing his timeless music throughout the day and offer our condolences and prayers to Kris’s family at this trying time.
Tell the people who knew Kris this tale, and let’s all join in honoring his amazing legacy.
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