How to Check for Ticks and Prevent Lyme Disease?
It’s a simple pleasure in life to be outdoors-whether it be hiking, gardening, or simply a stroll in the park. But with nature comes a hidden risk-ticks. These tiny arachnids are capable of transmitting Lyme disease, a serious bacterial infection that is often hard to diagnose early on. Know-how to check for ticks and how to prevent bites is essential in keeping safe, especially as the warm months roll around.
Why It’s Important to Check for Ticks?
Ticks are sneaky creatures. They are neither jumpers nor flyers; They crawl unto people or animals from a grass patch, bush, or leaf. They bite without pain and being no larger than a sesame seed, they can go totally undetected for hours or days. And this complicates things because Lyme disease is generally transmitted after the tick has been attached for a minimum of 36 to 48 hours. Detecting and removing the tick before these hours go by is of the essence.
When to Check?
Post-tick check should be done immediately if you have spent some time in wooded, grassy, or brushy areas. This could include hiking, camping, yard work, or even playing with outdoor roaming pets. The sooner you check, the better your chances of finding the tick before it gets to share its infection with you.
How to Do an Effective Tick Check?
As soon as you can, go inside. Avoid sitting on the furniture or bed until you are absolutely sure that you have thoroughly examined your body. Standing naked for a full-body tick check in front of a large mirror allows you to really see yourself. Use a hand mirror to check your back or enlist someone to help you.
Pay close attention to the areas where ticks like to hide. In particular, focus on hair and scalp, backs of ears, armpits, groin, and waist, backs of knees and between legs. Remember that ticks like warm, moist environments, so be thorough.
Why Showering is Important?
Evidence suggests showering within 2 hours of coming indoors may reduce Lyme disease risk. This is because showering may wash away unattached ticks and is an ideal opportunity to conduct a head-to-toe tick check. If a tick is found, it also allows you to clean any potential bite sites properly.
As you shower, take this opportunity to become familiar with the early signs and symptoms of Lyme disease, including Bull’s-eye rash, fever, fatigue, and joint aches. If diagnosed with any of these symptoms, it is, of course, important to seek medical help. The diagnosis of lyme disease is done through a physical examination, history of recent tick exposure, and a two-step blood test to check for antibodies reactive to the bacteria.
Inspect Clothes and Pets Too
Ticks can hitch a ride on clothing or gear and end up on your body later. Before entering your house, check your clothes and gear. Tumble drying your clothes on high heat for at least 10 minutes will kill ticks hiding in the fabric.
Your pets can carry ticks, too. No matter how effective a tick preventative treatment you’ve given your dog or cat, check them regularly-around ears, under collars, and between toes.
