Alternative Therapies

Ticks are small insects, but they can do big damage. Tick bites spread tick-borne diseases, especially when you go out during spring or summertime.

Taking some simple steps will guard you against tick bites. Ticks are always on the lookout for blood. Their victims include birds, mammals and humans.

Diseases spread by ticks

• Babesiosis
• Ehrlichiosis
• Lyme disease
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• Southern tick-associated rash illness
• Tick-borne relapsing fever
• Tularemia
• Anaplasmosis
• Colorado tick fever
• Powassan encephalitis

You may not know what most of these diseases are. But believe me, you don’t wanna get them.

Take these steps to prevent tick bites and with them, the diseases.

• Know where ticks live. Ticks like moist environments, especially in and around woods and grassy areas. Ticks cling on to you when you are walking through the woods or shrubs. Always walk in the middle of the path, to avoid ticks.
• Wear light colored clothing when you are out camping, hiking or gardening. You can spot ticks on your clothes easily.
• Tuck your pants into your socks while in the woods to prevent ticks from crawling in to your pants.
• Use tick repellents on your skin and clothing. Permethrin repellents are used on clothes and repellents containing 20% or more DEET are used on the skin. But carefully follow the instructions on the product. Adults should apply the repellents on children. Avoid the hands, eyes and mouth while applying.
• Mow your lawn appropriately. Tall grass will invite ticks over.
• Use chemical tick control agents in your home. You may hire professionals to do this for you.
• Clear debris like dead leaves and twigs around your home.
• Discourage deer around your home.
• If you have a play area, don’t include too much vegetation in it.
• Protect your animals from ticks. Put tick medicine on them or use tick collars. Ask you vet what else you could do.

Perform body checks for ticks

Perform body checks for ticks after you have been outdoors in the nature. Use a mirror for checking and removing ticks in the following body parts

• Under arms
• Inside belly button
• In and around ears
• In and around the hair
• Back of the knees
• Between the legs
• Around the waist

Do the check on your children if they have been out.

What to do if you have a tick bite

Remove the tick if it is still attached. Watch for any disturbances in your health. Go to a doctor immediately if you notice something.