Learn Lyme

The most effective way to prevent Lyme disease is to prevent getting bitten by a tick. Even though the majority of ticks live in the Northeast part of the U.S., you can still contract the disease anywhere. Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses have been reported in every state in the U.S. Here are some ways to prevent being bitten by ticks:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants tucked into your socks, closed-toed shoes, and a hat with your hair tucked in
• Don’t stray from cleared trails Tumble dry your clothing on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill any ticks you may have brought inside on your clothing
• Do a thorough tick check on your body once you get home
• Shower within two hours of coming home to wash off any unattached ticks
• Treat your clothing with permethrin to repel ticks
• Spray insect repellent with DEET or picaridin on any exposed skin
• Wear light-colored clothing so you can detect ticks easier
• Check your pets for any ticks hidden in their fur so they don’t carry ticks inside your home

Children love to explore outside. But that exploration can lead to an increased risk of picking up a tick bite and contracting Lyme disease. The best way to prevent Lyme disease in children is to protect children from tick bites. Prevention tips are similar for adults and children, but parents may need to be more proactive in keeping an eye out for any attached ticks after their children are finished playing outside. Since Lyme disease already presents vague symptoms, parents and doctors may not even think about checking their child for Lyme. They might assume a child’s symptoms are from the flu or other more obvious illnesses. If you fear your child may be sick, it’s worthwhile to visit your doctor and let them know if you have been in areas with a history of Lyme, if you’ve spotted a rash on your child, or if you’ve found a tick on a family pet. Any information, even if you don’t think it’s associated with Lyme, may be helpful in correctly diagnosing your child. If you find a tick, remove it from your child immediately. It’s a good idea to save the tick in case your doctor recommends sending it for testing.

While not as common, ticks can also transmit Lyme disease and other infections to pets and livestock. Your pets can also pick up ticks after being outside, and then carry them to you or your family. The symptoms of Lyme disease in your pet may not show up for two to five months after an initial bite. If your pet is showing symptoms of joint pain, lethargy, excessive scratching, or a decreased appetite, they may have contracted a tick-borne illness. Talk with your veterinarian about ways to protect your pet. Recommendations may include:

• Check your pet’s skin and fur for ticks after being outside.
• Buy tick-repellent shampoo, flea and tick collars, and other products that can ward off ticks.
• Keep your pet on marked trails when out hiking.
• Make sure your backyard is well-kept and your grass is trimmed.

Some vets may recommend vaccinating your pet against Lyme, especially if you live in an area with a high tick population. However, your pet could still contract Lyme or other tick-borne illnesses even with vaccination. You should still be vigilant about protecting your pet against ticks.