THE INTRO: THE VILLAIN OF THE WOODS, FIELDS AND OUTDOOR AREAS.  The topic of ticks is right up there with poison ivy and bears as the reason people are leery of venturing onto the trails. Ticks exist in our woods, fields, backyards and even soccer fields and some can pack not so fun-tastic things like Lyme disease. There are a few hundred species of ticket, however in the Mid-Atlantic we primarily see deer tick, dog tick and wood tick. The tick is known to feed on its host, so if it feeds on a deer or another animal then it can transmit via a bite to your body. Let's get knee deep into tick prevention and toss in a few fun facts. 

FUN FACT #1: Truth be told, the CDC reports that just under 20% of ticks are carrying. However, this is nothing to be overconfident about. 
 
Where do they live?
Ticks are found in high grass, dense forest, off the trails, decaying leaf matter and in trees.

​Tick Prevention
There are a few things you can do to decrease your chances of a tick meet

• Stay on the trails.
• Stay away from high grass and fields. If you just must be in high grass, then wear pants.
• Stay away from decomposing leafy areas found near trails or some backyards.
• Wear long pants and long sleeves if possible.
• Use Deet or wear clothing that contains Permethrin. These clothes can be found from Walmart to REI or any good outfitter.
  • Permethrin also comes in a cream or spray ( read before use ).

 
Tick Check
You just came in from the outdoors, hiking, your kids soccer game or cleaning the backyard now what?

• Ticks love tights spaces like armpits, sock areas, waistline, ears, back of the knee , belly button and hair.
• Know what you are looking for.  a tick is small. Think the size of a flower seed or smaller and is brown in color.
• shower after a check in case you missed anything. It will be more noticeable after a showering.
• Toss your worn clothes in the wash and then dryer.

 
Oh darn I found one on me, now what?

• Ticks move slow and methodically, so do not worry it won’t act like a spider or cricket.
• Ignore what our parents did when we were kids. Do not use a lighter to burn the tick and do not use petroleum jelly. Can you imagine trying to use a lighter to remove a tick from your armpit or worse from your three year old? Yeah it doesn’t make sense does it.
• Use a tweezer and slowly clasp the tick and pull straight away from your body. If you twist or jerk the tick out, then there is a chance for the head of the tick to remain embedded. If that happens, try and remove the head using tweezers.
• Once removed you can flush it or drench in rubbing alcohol or put it in a sealed plastic bag.
• Now clean the area of the body with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.

 
How will I know if I am infected?

• The first sign: After a tick eats, they are bloated and fat .
• A rash will break out in 3 to 30 days at the bite point of origin. The rash will be circular (think bullseye like)
• If nothing happens after 30 days, then the tick was not carrying anything but fear.
• If a rash does occur, seek medical assistance. There are antibiotics you can take.

 

Fun Fact #2: Ticks can come into your house via clothing, your body, or your pets. Please take caution to protect your best furry friend with proper ointment or flea/tick collar. Dogs and cats can get bit too, and get Lyme disease. 
 
To wrap this up, be aware, be smart and check yourself after your fun in the outdoors.

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