Ticks appear to be everywhere this summer. If the dog isn’t bringing them into bed with you, the rabbits are bringing them to your doorstep. But, there are ways to minimize your risk of tick bites. Here’s how:
What to wear? If you’re out in the grass, wear light clothing, socks and long pants. Tuck your pant legs into the socks. Tuck your shirt in as well.
Use tick spray before going out. Anything with 30 to 40 percent Deet. You can spray permethrin on your clothes. Permethrin kills and repels ticks.
Walk in the hot, drier areas. That’s where the ticks are least likely to be. They like the wetter, shady areas with high grass.
Check your skin daily. Check right after an outdoor walk and while you shower. Remember that ticks are tiny. They can be the size of a poppy seed. They crawl for an hour or more before attaching, so it’s best to look for them sooner rather than later!
What to do if you find a tick on your body?
Take a tweezer and grasp the tick as close to your skin as you can. Pull straight up. And, wash the area with soap and water or alcohol.
Call your doctor if you have a red rash, flu-like symptoms or any other unexpected health condition like dizziness, or a fast heartbeat. You want to get treatment as swiftly as possible.
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