One Bite is all it Takes, protect yourself from Ticks.

 

The adult deer tick as shown above is responsible for most cases of Lyme disease. 

It's that time of year again!! The dreaded Tick season. Are you protected from ticks? 

If you spend a lot of time in your yard the best way to protect yourself is by keeping your yard tidy. Keep the lawn cut short, compost any leaves, and keep any brush cut back off your yard. If your lawn connects to a forest or wooded area a fence or barrier is recommended. The barrier should be 3 feet wide between the wooded area and your yard of wood chips or gravel. This barrier will help reduce the ticks from crossing over into your yard according to the CDC (Centers for disease control and prevention) When out walking in wooded areas light coloured clothing is recommended. Long sleeves and long pants are also recommended, tucking your shirt into your pants and your pants into your socks. This will help create a barrier. Finally using repellents that contain deet on exposed skin and clothing.

Lyme disease- A bacterial infection spread to humans through the bite of an infected tick.

How to Treat a Tick Bite:

The most important thing is to remove the tick promptly. There are several tick removing tools that you can purchase, but fine tipped tweezers work just as well.

Removing a Tick:

Take the fine tipped tweezers and grasp the tick as close to skin as possible.

Pull the tick straight away from the entry point, being sure not to twist or turn the tick.

Avoid squeezing the tick too much as it can cause more fluids to release into the wound.

If you see any remaining parts of the mouth of the tick in the wound remove with tweezers.

Wash the area with soap and water

Let heal.

Observe the bite area for 30 days to watch for a rash.

Be aware of possible Lyme disease symptoms like headache, muscle or joint aches, fever, or fatigue. 

People with Lyme disease sometimes develop a bullseye rash.

If you suspect that you have contracted Lyme disease you should seek medical attention as symptoms will likely become worse.

While some cases can resolve on their own it is not recommended as it can lead to serious long-term complications.

Antibiotics prescribed by your doctor are recommended.

On average it is noted that 20% of ticks are infected with Lyme. If you are showing symptoms of Lyme disease it is important to seek medical attention to initiate prompt treatment.

I hope you found this post informative. 

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