Tick Awareness: What You Need to Know to Protect Yourself from Lyme Disease This Spring
With warmer weather comes increased outdoor activities and, unfortunately, a greater risk of tick bites. Ticks can carry Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, so it is vital that we are aware of them and take prevention seriously.
Here's a breakdown of what you need to know, plus steps to take if you do find a tick on yourself:
Myth-Busting: Ticks and Lyme Disease
Ticks don’t hibernate: Unlike bears or other animals, ticks are active year-round. However, they are more active in warmer months, with peak activity from June to August.
Don’t wait for a rash: Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to develop the classic bullseye rash to have Lyme disease. Only 20% of people with Lyme have ever developed the classic rash.
It may seem like the flu. Symptoms of early Lyme disease include fatigue, rash, headache, muscle and joint aches and pains, and swollen lymph nodes. Listen to your body, and don’t dismiss these symptoms.
Lyme testing can be tricky: Conventional Lyme tests aren't reliable, and specialty tests are costly. But testing the tick? Accurate and budget-friendly. Save those ticks for testing! Details below.
Protect Yourself This Season:
Taking care to prevent a tick bite in the first place is the best way to avoid Lyme Disease. Here are some powerful tools to keep those pesky ticks at bay:
Dress Smart: Wear long pants that tuck into your socks. Light-colored clothing makes spotting ticks easier.
Natural Tick Repellent: Before venturing out, spray your shoes and pants with a natural and non-toxic tick spray. I love and use Nantucket Spiders Extra-strength Tick Spray. Purchase your bottle here and carry on adventuring.
Post-Adventure Check: After spending time outdoors, thoroughly check your whole body for ticks. They like warm areas such as the backs of your knees, armpits, in between toes, and behind your ears. Be sure to check in bright light, as baby ticks can be as small as a poppy seed.
Pets as Carriers: Avoid letting your outdoor pets sleep in your bed or lay on furniture with soft fabric, like couches or chairs. Likewise, check their paws, legs, and body for ticks, as they can fall off and make their way onto you.
Tick Prevention Landscaping: Make your yard less friendly to ticks by removing leaf piles and keeping grass short. Consider planting tick-repelling plants like lavender, mint, and rosemary, which can naturally deter ticks. It’s important to note that these landscaping tips may help minimize tick encounters but shouldn’t be a substitute for other prevention methods like tick spray and post-activity body checks.
What to Do If You Get Bitten by a Tick:
First and most importantly, don’t panic! Take a deep breath. Being frenetic will not help you make better decisions.
Safe Removal: Using tweezers, grasp the tick and pull straight up with steady pressure. Make sure you remove all parts of the tick out of your skin. Don’t twist, burn, or smother the tick with any liquids. Just pull straight up.
Save the Tick: Place the tick in a plastic bag and write your name and the date you removed it. Then, pop it in the freezer until you’re ready to mail it.
Test the Tick: Order a tick test from TickCheck and send your tick in the mail.
Seek Medical Attention: Early intervention for Lyme disease is crucial. Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.
Take Photos: Document any tick bite symptoms that develop, such as rash or joint swelling.
Don’t have a healthcare provider, or your provider doesn’t treat Lyme? I offer acute tick bite visits and chronic Lyme visits.
Schedule a free phone consultation today to discuss your concerns and get the support you deserve!
Don’t Let Ticks Ruin Your Health!
Knowledge is power! By taking preventative measures and knowing what steps to take if you get bitten, you can enjoy the beautiful spring weather with less stress. Don't let these tiny creatures steal your spring!
Please share this information with your friends and family to help them stay tick-safe.
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If you're struggling with Lyme disease or suspect you may have been bitten by a tick, let's explore your options.
Book a free consultation to start your journey towards vibrant health!
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This post is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please speak to your physician before implementing any changes related to your health.
