While ticks transmit Lyme disease, it’s important to know that not all carry the bacteria. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, ticks infected with Lyme is area-dependent and can span from less than 1% to more than 50% of the population. Jonhs Hopkins recommend researching your area (or areas you’ll be traveling) to get the most accurate info. The CDC has an interactive map of Lyme disease rates in the US (and some other great online resources for education and support.)
If you know you’re going to be in areas with ticks, Matthew Aardema, an assistant professor of biology at Montclair State University recommends taking proper accommodations before you go outside. Wear lighter colors (which make ticks easier to see), tuck pants into socks and shirts into waistband and make sure you have a good bug spray. You should also consider treating your clothes, shoes, and gear with a spray that contains 0.5% permethrin.
You also want to make sure to check yourself, your kiddos, and your pets when spending time outdoors, making sure you get your scalp, behind your ears, armpits, groin, belly button, and behind your knees. And hop in the shower after a hike or camping trip, to further ensure they’re off.
“A tick searching for a place to bite is much easier to remove than a tick that has already started feeding,” Aardema told us. “So check for ticks frequently during hikes or whenever spending an extended amount of time outdoors.”
Source link
