People wait anxiously for summer and spring to arrive. It is a great time for playing outdoor games, hiking and camping. But at the same time you have to be careful from ticks living in the same environment. Ticks are tiny bugs that can make you sick after its bite. Lyme disease is frequently encountered after a tick bite, particularly from deer tick bite. Ticks carry the germs (bacteria) and are responsible for spread of Lyme disease. Ticks can also spread other bacterial and viral diseases such as rocky mountain fever, relapsing fever, Babesiosis, etc.
Although, all tick bites do not cause Lyme disease or other tick borne illnesses, some individuals can get affected. The nymph stage of ticks is responsible for most cases of Lyme disease. Their peak activity increases during summer, and it is the same time which coincides with human outdoor activities. As there is no vaccine available to protect you from Lyme disease, nor it is possible to avoid ticks completely, certain preventive measures can help you to protect from tick bites and tick borne diseases.
Protect Yourself From Ticks And Lyme Disease
Reducing the exposure to ticks is the best way to protect against Lyme disease.
Avoid area infested with ticks:
Ticks usually inhabit in grass and bushy areas. They can be seen in gardens and its stone walls, if it is situated nearby the woodland. When you stroll in such areas, avoid walking on the edge where you can come in contact with the grass or leaves. Instead walk in the middle path. You have to be more careful, during May to July when it is the peak activity season for the nymph stage of ticks, which is responsible for Lyme disease.
Wear protective dress when venturing out in tick infected are:
- Wear full sleeve shirts and full length pants. Also wear socks and shoes.
- Wear light color clothes so that the ticks may be easily detected on clothes.
- Wear a hat on your head and also if you have long hair tie them with scarf or any other cloth while going out in tick infected area.
- Tuck your shirts into the pants.
- Avoid sitting on ground or lie along the wall in tick infested area.
- Spray chemical repellent on your shirt and pants, socks and shoes, before you go out in tick borne areas. Read on the label how to use the repellent before using it on your clothes.
- Check your clothes after you come from outdoors if you visit tick area. You can check in the yard and also check your pets.
- Inspect all parts of your body, especially areas such as arms, armpits, groins, scalp, belly button, neck and feet.
- Shower soon after you come from outdoors. It reduces the chances of tick bites.
How To Remove Ticks From Skin?
If you find tick embedded on the skin, avoid getting panicky. First of all remember that all ticks are not infected with the bacterium that is responsible for Lyme disease. Secondly it takes 38 to 48 hours to spread the bacterium after the tick gets embedded.
Once detected, remove the tick from your body with the help fine tipped tweezers. Slowly pull the tick upward. Wash your skin with disinfectant. In any case do not crush the attached tick since it can regurgitate the bacteria.
If you are exposed to ticks and after that if you develop symptoms such as fever, joint pains, rash, consult your doctor immediately. Infection due to tick bite when detected and treated early does not cause lasting problems.