As the weather gets warmer, taking a hike in the woods or enjoying a picnic or even taking care of your garden are common outdoors activities. But this may expose you to tick-borne diseases. They are spread from the bites of infected ticks found in wooded areas with high grass and leaf litter or near standing water. Ticks differ from other bugs as they do not bite and fly away, instead they stick to your skin or to your pet skin and feed for several days.
Infected ticks are most active during spring and summer months and may carry bacteria, parasites and viruses causing several diseases, the most common of which is Lyme disease.
Symptoms:
- Body/muscle aches
- Fever
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Rash with bulls-eye pattern
- Stiff neck
- Paralysis
Prevention and Recommendations:
- If you live in a wooded area, it is recommended to remove leaf litter, cut back long grass and fill areas that collect water to eliminate the standing water factor.
- Use flea and tick products to protect your pets.
- Wear appropriate clothing when going outdoors with light-colored clothing to easily spot ticks, including long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into boots or socks.
- Wear a hat to prevent ticks from falling in your hair or attaching to your scalp.
- Use insect repellents.
- Check skin, particularly underarms, groin, and hair, and clothing for ticks.
- Remove ticks using fine-tipped tweezers and clean the area with soap and water.
- Seek medical attention immediately if you develop any symptoms of tick-borne diseases.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/the-new-lyme-disease#1
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/tick-borne/default.html
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/is-that-a-tick-bite#1
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/tick-borne-diseases