If you have you know what an unpleasant experience it can be. Not only do you have to remove an ugly little bug from your body, but you usually end up with an itchy bite that can be quite annoying for days on end. And if you are unlucky, you can end up getting sick from that bite as well. Ticks can carry many different diseases and illnesses like Lyme’s or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. It is important to prevent tick bites as much as possible.
The easiest thing you can do to avoid tick bites is to avoid ticks themselves. Of course that is easier said than done most times. If you work outdoors or like to spend time out there you always have a chance of encountering ticks. So when you are outside, take precautionary measures to keep ticks away.
If you know you will be in a tick infested area, dress appropriately. A walk in the woods requires proper coverage of your legs and arms. Wear long pants tucked into your socks and long sleeve shirts. Wearing light colored clothing can help you see any ticks that may be trying to get to your skin a little bit easier. After you’ve left the tick infested area, check yourself thoroughly for any ticks. Remember that they can be very small especially if they are in their nymph stage. Have someone check the spots you can not see like your back and head.
If you do find a tick, remove it promptly with tweezers. Be sure to pull it out steadily and swiftly being extra careful not to leave any mouth parts embedded. If you show any symptoms like a bull’s eye shaped rash, lethargy, nausea or fever contact your doctor to rule out any disease that could have possibly been spread by the tick.
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