Summertime Bites & Stings

Bees and wasps not only have stings that are painful, but about 50 people a year actually die from allergic reactions to stings. When stung by a bee, its important to remember the bee will leave its stinger attached to you with a venom sac. To remove it, use a credit card and scrape it across the stinger to pull it out without pressing on the venom sac, or more painful venom will be injected. Wasps do not leave their stinger in you, but they can sting repeatedly.
If you are allergic to stings, immediate medical attention should be sought, or always carry an epinephrine injection pen. Usually cortisone cream can reduce swelling and itching, or for a wider reaction, an antihistamine cream or injection might be necessary. Some home remedies include honey, ice, toothpaste, peanut butter, vinegar/baking soda paste, mud and ammonia.

Mosquito bites cause that little itchy red bump that we are so familiar with. In the last decade, mosquitoes have spread the West Nile Virus, and they are well documented in the spread of diseases like encephalitis or malaria. A repellent containing DEET is your best bet to ward them off, but if you do get bitten, its best not to scratch, and use a topical antihistamine or hydrocortisone cream to reduce swelling and itching. Home remedies include Aloe Vera, vinegar, Dead Sea salt water, ice, banana peel, ammonia, lavender essential oil or rubbing alcohol.

Chiggers are the larval form of Trombiculidae mites and only feed on us in their “childhood”. As adult insects, they are actually vegetarian. They are less than 1/150th of an inch but their bite and subsequent itch are tremendous! The allergic reaction can last from 7-10 days until the body processes the stylostome, which is a hard tube-like structure created from skin reacting to the chiggers saliva path. To ward off chiggers, use powdered sulphur, if you can stand the smell, around the opening of your pants, socks and shoes and take a hot, soapy bath immediately after exposure. To ease a chigger bite, use benzocaine, camphor-phenol or ammonium hydroxide, along with other over the counter anti-itch creams. Other home remedies include ice, Dead Sea salt water, water and baking soda paste, honey, ammonia, slice of onion, or lavender essential oil mixed with equal parts of vegetable oil.


Source: http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/avoid-outdoor-pests; http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/01/31/health/main327105.shtml; http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5422588/home_remedies_for_insect_bites_bee.html?cat=25

Summertime Quotes

"Do what we can; summer will have its flies." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken." - James Dent

"Being a child at home alone in the summer is a high-risk occupation. If you call your mother at work thirteen times an hour, she can hurt you." - Erma Bombeck

"I know that if odor were visible, as color is, I'd see the summer garden in rainbow clouds." Robert Bridges

"Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence. Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance. Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence. Winter passes and one remembers one's perserverance." - Yoko Ono

"Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world." - Ada Louise Huxtable

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time." - John Lubbock

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosiac of them all." - Stanley Horowitz

Summer 2011 New Arrivals - Part 3

The new arrivals just keep coming, and we love it! Below are a few more to feast your eyes on, or you can visit our WEBSITE to see all of our new arrivals!




LUCH2657, I'm Leaving Now
A nicely shaped scoop neck Flexibles top featuring shirring at the neck with contrast binding, soft stretchy knit side panels, side pockets and a groovy tagless neck label. Center back length is 26". Made of Cotton/Spandex. Pair with black, light grey, dark grey, bright pink or turquoise pants.













LUCH2828C, Days of Wine & Roses
A deep V-neck top that features a contrast print dickie inset and sleeve cuff, solid contrast piping along the neckband edge and empire waist, soft bust shirring, two front patch pockets, back elastic and side vents. Center back length 26 1/2". Made of 100% Cotton. Pair with black, grey, dark grey or wine pants.












LUCH2756C Tropico
This fun round neck top features a delicate ruffle at front neck, inside adjustable drawstring waist, back darts, angled pockets, and side vents. Center back length is 26 1/2". Made of 100% Cotton. Pair with chocolate, khaki, lime green or pink pants.















LUCH2678 Spotty Spots
A fun print on this round neck top in a stretch fabrication features a logo zipper in the front with darts around the neck. The two angled pockets feature a binding finish. Back darts create a flattering shape in this stretch top. Side seams are finished with vents and the center back length is 26". Made of Cotton/Spandex. Pair with black, white or wine pants.









LULA8413 Scribbled Hearts
Fun, frilly and definitely feminine. V-neck top accented with a double ruffle, shirred cap sleeves with center elasticized shirring, six-button placket, sewn-in empire waistband and two lower patch pockets. Back features tailoring darts for fit. Center back length is 26 1/8". Made of 65% polyester/35% cotton. Very versatile, pair with black, purple, yellow, bright pink, sky blue, coral or white pants.

Summer 2011 New Arrivals - Part 2

More deliveries this week! Enjoy and dont be afraid to browse all of the new arrivals on our WEBSITE, or for you Denver-ites, come visit our store located on the SE corner of I-76 & Sheridan Blvd in Arvada, here is a MAP.


LUCH6846 Sesame Street Love Life
This fit & flare top features a V-neckline and three front pockets. Contrast binding edges the neckline, sleeves and one cell phone pocket. Two roomy patch pockets and side vents. Center back length is 25 1/2". Made of Brushed Poly/Cotton Poplin. Pair with kelly green, black, grey, bright pink or white. (blue is hard to match)











LUCH6628 Peanuts You Blockhead
This Peanuts print is a round neck top featuring a softly curved front neck yoke with contrast piping, delicate center front pin tucks, raglan style seaming for flattering fit, patch pockets, half back elastic for shaping and side vents. Center back length is 26 1/2". Made of Brushed Poly/Cotton Poplin. Pair with black, orange, bright pink or light blue pants.












LUCH6875C Betty Grey Gardens
This fun Betty Boop print Flexibles top features stretch side panels in contrast knit which shapes and slims the body! Also featured is a V-neckline, front and back yoke, and two hidden pockets! Center back length is 25". Made of 100% Cotton. Pair with black, grey, dark grey or red pants.














LUCH4700C Into the Wind
This butterfly print top features a dolman sleeve, v-neck tunic with side seam vents, two patch pockets and a cell phone pocket. Center back length is 26.25". Made of 100% Cotton. Pair with black, light green, grey, lime green, dark grey, royal or medium blue.









LUCH4788C Hope Butterflies
This pink ribbon scrub top is a mock wrap top that features contrast color neck bands, an adjustable contrast drawstring waist, back elastic, two patch pockets and side vents. Center back length is 26 5/8". Made of 100% Cotton. Pair with azalea, black, grey or pink.













LUCH6648 Scooby Butterflies
Scooby Doo and Butterflies print, this V-necktop features contrast neck binding, contrast adjustable empire drawstring, back elastic, two patch pockets and side vents. Center back length is 26 1/2". Made of Brushed Poly/Cotton Poplin. Pair with kelly green, purple, lime green, navy, lavendar, royal, bright pink and medium blue pants.

Summer 2011 New Arrivals - Part 1

Oh, how we LOVE getting new arrivals! Our new summer arrivals did not disappoint and we have a little something for everyone! Check out these, along with the entire cast of New Arrivals, on our Laurel Uniforms & Apparel website.



LUCH2732C in Pashmina Paisley
This beautiful print V-neck top features a decorative ring joined at center front neck with stylized front yoke seam, two patch pockets, back elastic and side vents. Center back length: 26 1/2". Made of 100% cotton. Pair with black, dark grey, white or wine pants.














LUCH6719 with White Embroidery of Minnie Mouse!
Look closely! This top has white embroidery creating outlines of Minnie Mouse! A mock wrap top that features front neck binding, release tucks at the waist, and patch pockets. Left pocket has pencil stitch, right pocket has stitched down instrument loop, back elastic, and side vents. Center back length is 26". Made of Cotton/Poly Poplin. Pair with white or black pants.











LUCH2702 White with Decorative Ring
This V-neck top features a decorative ring joined at center front neck with stylized front yoke seam. Patch pockets, back elastic and side vents. Center back length is 26 1/2". Made of Brushed Cotton/Poly Poplin. Pair with white or black pants.












LUCH2737C in Cherry Blossoms Print
A wonderful summer print! Features a v-neck with binding around the front and back neckline. Bust darts and side elastic smocking create a flattering shape. Angled pockets and side vents. Center back length is 26 1/2". Made of 100% Cotton. Pair with black, bright pink, grey, dark grey and red pants.











LUCH2789C in Don't Hound Me Print
A new Flexibles style! This innovative top features stretch side panels in contrast knit which shapes and slims the body! Also featured is a V-neckline, front and back yoke, and two hidden pockets! A border print is featured on this Flexibles silhouette. Center back lenght: 25". Made of 100% Cotton. Pair with black or royal pants.

Halt, Summer!

Geeze, where is the summer going already??

Am I the only one looking around thinking "is it really almost the end of June?"

Each spring I have such plans for summer! Nightly walks, camping trips, concerts, picnics, parties on the patio. Well, I have managed to walk a few times, we are contemplating a camping trip, we went to one concert because it had been postponed from last summer, no picnics have been had, but we did eat out on the patio once!

I wish there were a way to halt time so I can sit, relax and enjoy just being in summer moments!

Majority of Providers Want Out

Are you or someone you love a Medicare recipient? If so, you need to know this!

Homecaremag.com conducted a poll: "Will you bid in Round 2 of competitive bidding?"

A shocking 60 percent of Home Medical Equipment (HME) participants in HomeCare's March web poll said they are trying to sell or close their HME businesses before Round 2 of competitive bidding.

Here is how the responses broke out:
Yes: 13%
No: 10%
Haven't decided: 4%
Audits may put me out of business before Round 2 is implemented: 13%
I'm trying to sell/close my business before I have to: 60%

Here is a Competitive Bidding overview, courtesy of www.homecaremag.com:
The original DME competitive bidding program was signed into law on December 8, 2003, as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). In April 2007, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Medicare DMEPOS national competitive bidding program final rule and the first-round competitive bid areas and product categories.

After numerous problems were encountered during Round 1 of competitive bidding, the House and Senate voted in July 2008 to overturn President George W. Bush's veto of H.R. 6331. The Medicare package included a temporary delay of the DMEPOS competitive bidding program to allow time for critical process improvements and other reforms to bidding and HME policy. (View a summary of the competitive bidding provisions in H.R. 6331.)

During President Bush's last month in office, his administration issued an interim final rule that instructed CMS to restart the competitive bidding process, which is now commonly known as the Round 1 Rebid. The newly-elected President Barack Obama temporarily delayed all rules issued during the previous administration's final month, but this rule was allowed to become final after the 60-day delay expired in April 2009.

In August 2009, CMS announced the timeline for the Round 1 Rebid. (View a timeline with deadlines for competitive bidding.) On October 13, 2009, Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Fla., introduced a bill to repeal DMEPOS competitive bidding. However, CMS opened the 60-day bid window on time for the Round 1 rebid of Medicare DMEPOS competitive bidding.

•Visit the CBIC Web site for further information on the Round 1 rebid.
•Read an overview of Medicare's DMEPOS Competitive Bidding on CMS' Web site.
•View the final rule on the Competitive Acquisition for Certain Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS).

Click our previous post Medicare Competitive Bidding and What it Means to You for more information.

Theracane, what would I do without you?

Business first. Our AD601BK Cardio stetho has been reduced from $111.05 to $98.21.

Now, on to THERACANE! If you dont know what a Theracane is, let me assure you, as a back pain sufferer, it is simply AMAZING. Wonderful. Heaven-sent.

AND THE PRICE HAS BEEN REDUCED, PEOPLE!

If you dont have a Theracane, NOW is the time to get one, before the Theracane Gods (or whomever came up with this amazing gadget) realizes the potential in their miracle-producing-hands, and gets greedy!

I feel like Theracane is my own personal Justin Bieber. Full of talent and its moments away from exploding onto the scene, making grown-ups weep and well....you get the drift.

Ahem.

Theracane was $38.67, and is now only $35.15!

Seriously, I worship my theracane and its pain-relieving abilities, and Im sure you will too! This product gets out those muscle bound knots and kinks like nobody's business!

Click HERE to buy one now, pronto, vaminos! You wont regret it.

Allergies: Myth vs Fact

Myth: Moving to a new climate will help with allergies.

Fact: Changing climates can affect your reaction to allergy-triggering substances called allergens -- but only to a limited extent. Some Eastern and Midwestern plants are rare out West, but grass and ragweed pollens are found nearly everywhere. Also, once you move, you may simply start reacting to different allergens.

Myth: Flowers commonly trigger allergies.

Fact: While some florists with prolonged exposure to flowers can have allergy symptoms, very few people suffer allergic reactions from a bouquet of beautiful blossoms. The culprit is usually the pollen produced by trees, grasses, and weeds (and yes, occasionally flowers) that’s picked up by breezes and carried through the air.

Myth: There is no pollen at the beach.

Fact: Compared to other regions, beaches can be nice vacation spots for allergy sufferers since beaches generally have lower pollen counts. However, grasses are common near beaches, and ragweed pollen can be found as far as 400 miles out to sea. Also, even a short drive or walk away from the sand will expose you to the region's pollen-emitting plant life.

Myth: Pollen counts can predict bad days.

Fact: Pollen counts determine how many grains of pollen were measured in a specific amount of air over a specific amount of time. You can use the daily pollen count as a tool for minimizing allergen exposure. One source of pollen counts is the National Allergy Bureau (www.aaaai.org/nab). It provides accurate data from 85 U.S. counting stations, plus two each in Canada and Argentina.

Myth: Local honey can reduce allergies.

Fact: The theory that eating local honey helps is mainly anecdotal and hasn't been sufficiently verified by research. Believers hope that the pollen content in honey will inoculate them against allergic rhinitis. But few controlled studies have addressed this theory. Besides, unlike carefully controlled allergy shots, pollens found in honey may not include the ones that affect you.

Myth: You will outgrow your allergies.

Fact: Some children do outgrow certain allergies. But very few outgrow hay fever. A hospital in Sweden tracked 82 patients with allergic rhinitis. The patients reported that 99% still suffered from allergic rhinitis 12 years later, although 39% reported improvement.

Myth: Rain washes away pollen.

Fact: The best days for allergy sufferers to go outdoors are those immediately following heavy rains. Pollen levels can be affected by temperature, time of day, humidity, and rain. Pollen counts run lowest on chilly, soggy days. They tend to run highest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., especially on hot, dry, and windy days. If you want to go outdoors, try to wait until the late afternoon.

Myth: Mold allergies only strike indoors.

Fact: Mold spores are fungi and can be found almost anywhere. They grow on soil, decaying leaves, and rotting wood -- especially in damp weather. You're most likely to have an allergic reaction to mold in the summer. Most outdoor molds aren't active during the winter. When spring comes around, molds grow on plants that died in the cold weather.

Myth: Hay fever comes from hay.

Fact: Hay fever isn't a fever, and it doesn't come from hay. Hay fever or allergic rhinitis is caused by tree, grass, and weed pollens as well as mold spores, some of which grow well in rural areas. If you have allergies, you may be more likely to suffer a reaction in a rural area. But some studies have shown that children who grow up on farms are less likely to develop allergies.

Myth: If you dont have allergies as a child, you wont have allergies as an adult.

Fact: Allergies often begin in childhood, but you can develop allergies as an adult, too. Some occur after you change your environment and encounter new allergens. Some adults redevelop symptoms they had during childhood.

Myth: Regular injections can relieve allergies.

Fact: While there are no full cures for allergies, allergy shots -- also known as immunotherapy -- are the closest thing. If you have bad allergies or reactions to many different allergens, you might benefit from immunotherapy. Regular injections may dramatically reduce your reaction to certain allergens when you stick to the regimen recommended by your doctor.

June 2011 Medicaid Cuts - A Sign of Things to Come?

Medicare/Medicaid sends out monthly updates to providers letting them know changes in Medicare/Medicaid coverage.

In the June update, Medicaid announced it will no longer cover circumcisions for newborns and they cut the diabetic supply benefit nearly in half. While circumcisions can arguably be "elective", diabetic supplies are not, and this is alarming.

Should we be concerned about these changes? Yes! These were just two changes in one month, and we see these changes and cuts every single month. Medicare/Medicaid are government run medical care programs, and as a country, we have a new health care mandate that will largely be dictated by the government.

As it stands now, if my private health insurance cut my required diabetic benefit in half, I have a choice to find another insurance provider. As it stands now, health insurance companies have to compete for my business. If they don't provide decent coverage at a reasonable price, we go can go elsewhere. Its called competition and insurance providers have to work to earn our business.

The big argument has been how much of a profit insurance companies make. While it does seem outlandish, we need to take a step back and think about this for a second. If insurance companies don't have money in the bank, and a major disaster strikes, their beneficiaries are left with no coverage because they essentially run out of money. Would you rather have an insurance company with limited funds, or an insurance company that will continue to be sound even if a major disaster strikes?

Yes, there are flaws. Yes, changes need to be made. More people need to be covered and charges for a lot of procedures need to be substantially reduced. Nobody argues that.

Are we sure a complete overhaul and guardianship by our government is the answer?

Spring Flooding Means Great White Water Rafting

Here in Colorado we have had record snowfall this year. Just a few days ago the highest peaks on the mountain range were completely white. This morning they were about 3/4 white, and for those of you who dont live with 14,000 foot mountains, that is a LOT of snowmelt coming down into our rivers.

I heard on the radio this morning that about mid-June we can expect to have peak river flow from the snowmelt. While this sounds exciting and fun for river rafting, specifically WHITE WATER river rafting, it also signals a dangerous time to even be near our mountainous rivers.

Each spring we hear of people enjoying river fun only to find them selves having to be rescued, or worse, fast water rescue teams going into "recovery mode" because the swift river took someones feet out from under them. Even dogs are not safe.

The good news is that most of our lakes downstream in the Denver metro area have plenty of room to accept the spring runoff.

When I was about 12 years old, my family visited Lake Powell in late spring. The Colorado river feeds into Lake Powell and the runoff was so spectacular that year that the lake literally rose about a foot per day. Lake Powell has several thousands of miles of coastline so that was an extraordinary amount of runoff!

If you decide to partake in white water fun, be safe out there, folks!

What You Need to Know About Skin Cancer

When I was a kid, and I’m dating my age here, we used to slather on baby oil and bathe in the sun to get a tan. As I got older, sunscreen use became more common and eventally, I swore off intentional sun to my face and most of my body. I now mostly use tanning lotions with at least SPF 30 to get somewhat of a golden glow (and to prevent blinding other people because I am so fair skinned).

My grandfather, who was a farmer, had several bouts of skin cancer on his face, and now my mother is having more frequent spots of skin cancer removed from her face.

With summer upon us, its time to think about our sun-worshiping habits and the risk associated with this past-time.

There are three major types of skin cancer - basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.
Basal cell carcinoma begins in the basal cells - a type of cell within the skin that produces new skin cells as the old ones die off. This cancer often appears as a waxy bump, and usually on the areas of the skin that are frequently exposed to the sun.
Squamous cell carcinoma rarely causes further problems when treated early. Untreated, it can spread and cause serious complications. The appearance of the tumors can vary, so its important to keep tabs on any nodules, lesions, ulcers, patches or sores on your skin or anywhere on your body.
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer and develops in the cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its color. In addition to forming on the skin, it can form in your eyes and internal organs. Look for changes in existing moles or the development of new, unusual looking growth on your skin.

The number one factor in developing skin cancer is sun exposure, specifically, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight or tanning beds. Here is how to protect yourself:
Avoid Midday Sun - for most, this is between 10am - 4pm, even when there is cloud cover.
Wear Sunscreen Year-Round - use a broad spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, and reapply often. Once per day wont do it.
Wear Protective Clothing - Even with sunscreen, wear a hat and tightly woven clothing.
Avoid Tanning Beds. Period.
Become Familiar with Your Skin so you notice any new changes.



Source: www.mayoclinic.com