Lyme Disesase is a growing threat to residents of huge swaths of the United States. One look a the enlarging year-over-year range should be enough to scare anyone into action.
Working in the garden, brushing the dog, camping, and merely visiting the northeast are all ways I've heard of people getting Lyme Disease, a vector-born infection from tick bites. Some people remember having a tick, but many don't. That's because nymphs, or baby ticks, can be as small as a poppyseed and go completely undetected.
A Lyme-carrying tick bite will often cause a rash that radiates in a bullseye pattern, but there is no visible reaction 30% of the time. In these cases, it is only later, when symptoms arise of joint pain, fatigue, burning sensations, brain fog, and other neurological symptoms, that they (or a doctor) may suspect Lyme Disease or any of the myriad of co-infections they carry like Babosa and Bartonella.
Once weeks or months (and sometimes years) have passed, treating Lyme gets more challenging than it is treated right away. The conventional wisdom is that it usually takes more than a day to transmit disease, so if you do full-body tick checks every time you have exposure and shower within an hour of outdoor activity, the odds will be ever in your favor.
This is because, usually, the tick drinks your blood first. It starts with fluids flowing from you to the tick. But then comes the bad part. They regurgitate (vomit) into you and fluids flow from it to you. This is when the disease transmission happens.
They may also regurgitate if you remove them the wrong way. So be careful about how your remove them. DO NOT hold a match to the tick, apply petroleum jelly, or use any caustic agents on it. (Read more myths here) Instead, you are supposed to take tweezers and gently grab the tick close to the mouth (they don't have heads) and pull straight upwards. See illustrations here.
Of course, it would be waaay better just not to get a tick in the first place. So these are our tips on how to be "Tick Smart"
Embrace the great outdoors with confidence and style, knowing you’re fully armed against ticks. These tiny creatures can pose significant health risks, including Lyme disease, but with a few mindful practices and natural compounds, you can enjoy nature without worry.
Wear the Right Clothes
Wear light-colored clothing to easily spot any ticks, and opt for long sleeves and pants. For better protection go full dork and tuck your pants into your socks and tuck in your shirt. Ticks loved to crawl up pantlegs and the back of shirts. Protect your neck and your hair by keeping things tied up and covered. But it's not really true that ticks drop out of trees. Mostly they are in tall grass just waiting for you to walk by and grab onto.
Essential Oils: Nature’s Shield
Harness the power of nature with essential oils known for their tick-repelling properties. Buy a mix or make your own and spray on clothing and exposed skin.
The following are considered top picks:
Lemon Eucalyptus oil (the CDC actually reccomends this)
Clove
Oregano
Neem
Lavender
Citronella & Thyme
Internal Defense
Incorporate herbal solutions into your tick-smart routine. Garlic, when included regularly in your diet, can make you less appealing to ticks. Oregano supplements and B-complex vitamins also help. Another powerful herb is Japanese knotweed, known for its ability to boost your immune system and potentially combat Lyme disease if you do get bitten.
At-Home Precautions
Create a tick-free oasis at home by keeping your yard well-maintained. Remove leaf litter, mow your lawn frequently, and create a barrier of wood chips or gravel between your lawn and wooded areas. Tick tubes, filled with permethrin-treated cotton, can also help reduce tick populations by targeting them at the source.
Post-Adventure Routine
After spending time outdoors, always conduct a full-body tick check. Pay special attention to hidden spots like the scalp, behind the ears, underarms, and .. the butt. Showering within two hours of coming indoors can also help wash off ticks before they bite. With these natural strategies and mindful practices, you can stay tick-smart and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors safely and stylishly.
If you get an attached tick, see a doctor immediatly via Urgent Care if needed. Ultimatly, Lyme-literate doctors will be able to serve you best, but time is of the essence when dealing with ticks.
Be Tick Smart, How to Avoid Lyme
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