Reduce Your Exposure to Lyme Disease and Other Tick-Borne Illnesses this Summer
For a disease that affects over 30,000 Americans annually, it is important that we follow precautions to limit our exposure to Lyme Disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Lyme Disease is caused by bacteria called Borrelia Burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of a tick. If not caught in its early stage, Lyme Disease can have long-lasting effects on your health. The peak transmission time period for this disease is late spring and early summer, so it is important now more than ever to be on the look-out for ticks.
If you plan on spending time outside in wooded areas, on trails, or in brushy areas, consider following these precautions:
- Give your body a thorough tick check before heading back inside; ticks like to hide in dark, warm, and moist places, so check everywhere!
- Change your clothes and shower quickly when you’re done outside.
- Use products containing 20 – 30% DEET on skin and clothing before venturing outside. Use special care in applying these products, particularly on children, avoiding hands, mouths, and eyes.
- Apply products containing 0.5% permethrin on clothing – pants, boots, and socks as well as any camping or hiking gear.
- Wear long socks, long pants, and/or long sleeves when you can.
- If you have pets that spend time outside, be sure to use tick prevention products and check their fur and skin frequently!
Check out the following link for more resources on Lyme Disease: