Increased tick activity combined with unreliable diagnostics and limited treatment options make diligent tick-bite prevention for the entire family of utmost importance. Even when diagnosed and treated early, up to 20% of people infected with Lyme disease continue to experience debilitating symptoms. For those not diagnosed early, treatment success can vary greatly. With late-stage or chronic Lyme disease, the bacteria can adversely affect multiple organ systems, joints, the heart, the brain, and parts of the central nervous system.
The most common tick-borne illnesses are carried by blacklegged ticks (called deer ticks) that may also transmit several bacterial diseases including Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis, which often result in infections coincident with Lyme. The same blacklegged tick, may also transmit the Powassan virus which can cause encephalitis and meningitis. Experts warn that viral infections may occur in as little as 15 minutes after a tick bite.
AVOID areas where ticks live. Ticks thrive in wood piles, long grass, leaf piles, and beach grass.
WEAR light-colored clothing: long pants, sleeves, socks, and closed-toe shoes. APPLY EPA-approved, CDC-recommended tick repellent to skin and insecticide to clothing and shoes as directed.
REMOVE clothing upon entering the home; toss into dryer at a high temperature for 10-15 minutes to kill ticks.
EXAMINE yourself and your pets for ticks daily. Check everywhere — ticks love to hide!
Body-worn repellents serve as the first line of defense for tick bites.
When choosing a tick repellent, it is important to select an EPA-approved, CDC-recommended active ingredient such as Picaridin 20%. “Picaridin 20% is recommended by the CDC, the World Health Organization, and Health Canada, is the leading active ingredient sold in European pharmacies,” said Chris L. Fuentes, Founder and CEO of Ranger Ready Repellents. “We created Ranger Ready with Picaridin 20% because it’s highly effective against ticks and can be safely worn by adults and children who must be protected every day.”
Go to RangerReady.com and use code GLA2021 for 10% off! As always, a portion of proceeds on rangerready.com go to GLA to advance our combined mission to protect future generations from tick bites and tick-borne illnesses.
For more prevention tips, visit BeTickAware.org