Life with Chronic Conditions: Ticks!!

Living in a small rural town in Vermont, just about everyone I know, including myself and my family, has had Lyme disease. For some it’s been a nightmare, particularly if they have other chronic conditions.

 

After learning that the more courses of antibiotics one takes as they age, the greater the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), it’s definitely increased my concern. 

 

There is nothing like a gorgeous Vermont summer. However, I’ve already had a dog tick in my ear and another on my arm, yet I want to be outside enjoying the warm weather as much as possible, but I don’t want to get infected with some nasty disease a tick maybe carrying.  Hence this post.

 

Tick Prevention Strategies

• Learn about the tick population where you live, vaction or work. You can do this by going to the CDC Regions where ticks live.  However, to learn more about your state’s tick prevention program, check your state’s health department's website.

 

• Check out the CDC Tick website  It provides a lot of helpful advice from stopping them, how to remove them, diseases associated with them etc.

 

• Prevent tick bites: While ticks are most active during warmer months (April-September) they are now occurring year round.

-       Know where  ticks hang out: Grassy, bushy or wooded areas, animals.

-       Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. You can buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear

-       Use EPA approved repellents

-       Avoid contact with ticks as much as possible. Walk in the center of trails

-       Dress for tick prevention: Light colored clothing helps the tick stand out. Wear long sleeve shirt tucked into long pants, which are tucked into tall socks; a hat, and shoes or boots.

-       Treat pets with tick control products. Talk to your vet about which one is most appropriate for your pet.

 

• Watch Tick Man’s Video: Very helpful way to learn how to check yourself for ticks.

 

• Tick remover tool: I’ve found something called the” tick tornado” that comes in several sizes and it works. People in VT swear by their favorite tick removal device. If you don’t have a favorite, talk to your local pharmacist and see what they recommend. Take it with you if you’re going hiking or plan to be in a wooded area. Keep one in first aid kits. There is even one you can put on a key chain- Tick Patrol Tool-but reviews indicate it’s not the best for removing the nymph ticks, which are very tiny. Check out Mom Goes Camping for reviews of The best Tick removal tools for humans. 

 

• Properly Remove a tick as soon as possible: Don’t use matches, Vaseline or alcohol

 

• Tick Checking 101: Steps to Take For Every Hike

 

• Go to a local medical center if you are bitten: If you are on vacation and get a tick bite, don’t wait until you get home for help. Seeing a local provider not only will get you more timely treatment, lessening the risk of disease, but they should have a lot more information about the ticks in your area and treatment protocols. Take medications as prescribed.