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Protect yourself against Lyme disease

Observer-Reporter - 5/14/2018

I regularly promote active lifestyles and outdoor activities. But being one with nature is not without its risks.

One of those risks is attracting ticks, which can lead to Lyme disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 300,000 cases of Lyme disease occur each year in the United States.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bite of an infected deer tick and most prevalent in wooded and grassy areas of the New England, Mid-Atlantic and upper Midwest States. A heightened awareness and preventative measures are recommended for those who live, work, play, camp, hike, or bike in these areas.

Over the last few years, I've been amazed by how many ticks I find on my clothing and skin after being outdoors ? year-round. Last winter, for example, we had an unexpected warmup in February, and with temperatures ranging from 30 degrees in the morning to 60 degrees in the afternoon, I decided to ski in the morning and snowshoe on the trails at in the afternoon. Because of snow cover, I occasionally wandered off the trail and hiked through the brush. Later that evening, I found a tick on my neck ? despite showering, wearing winter clothing and the fact that it was February.

It is no small wonder that some experts blame climate change for the dramatic increase in cases of Lyme disease. The research supports it. Last summer, while I was not formally diagnosed with Lyme disease, I did suffer from symptoms associated with the disease for about eight weeks. This experience has caused me to pause and take precautions when I garden, kayak, hike, mountain bike or engage in any outdoor activity that takes place near brush or wooded areas.

Protect and prevent

Know where the ticks live: Ticks thrive in moist and humid environments, especially in and near wooded and grassy areas. Wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants with socks when spending extended periods of time in risky environments.

Stay on the trails: When walking, hiking or biking, stay in the middle of the trail and avoid the brush.

Use repellent: The CDC recommends repellent containing 20 percent or more DEET, Picaridin or IR3535 on exposed skin. Use products with 0.5 percent permethrin on clothing, boots, pants, socks, tents and other gear. Visit the Environmental Protection Agency website for information about product safety.

Control ticks in your yard and living space: Keep your yard free of tall grass and brush, and use gravel or wood chips as a barrier. Mow the grass often and remove leaves quickly. Place playground equipment and toys in dry, sunny areas and away from brush and high grass. Don't feed or encourage deer to visit your living area. Chemical treatment for your yard and outdoor living space is available but should be used with caution and as a last resort.

Treat your pets: Use flea and tick treatments regularly on your pets, such as Advantage IIR or Frontline PlusR and others. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations.

Perform tick checks: After being outdoors, perform a tick check. Use a mirror or family member to help you check hard-to-see areas. Also, carefully examine your clothing and pets for ticks before entering your home. Drying your clothing in the dryer on high heat will kill ticks. The CDC recommends that you closely check these areas for ticks: under the arms; in and around the ears; inside the navel; back of the knees; in and around all head and body hair; between the legs; around the waist.

Remove clothes and shower: As soon as you enter your home (preferably through a mud room or basement), remove your clothes and take a shower. Remove ticks immediately and carefully: If you find an attached tick, use a fine-tipped tweezers and carefully remove it as soon as possible. If a tick is attached to your skin for less than 24 hours, it's very unlikely you'll get Lyme disease.

Be alert for signs and symptoms: If you find a tick on your body, keep an eye on that area for a few weeks. Look for signs or symptoms of Lyme disease, such as rash or fever, and contact a health care professional if you are suspicious.

Know the signs and symptoms: Some or all of the following symptoms can be associated with Lyme disease, and you should contact your physician if you are suspicious: skin rash, fever and chills, fatigue, muscle and joint pain/ache, headache. It's well documented that Lyme disease is on the increase, due in part to warmer winters in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. However, while experts encourage people in risky areas to take precautions during the spring and summer, they also encourage parents not to limit outdoor activities for children and others. Keep in mind that, in the long run, spending too much time indoors is far worse for your health than the risk of contracting Lyme disease.