How to Prevent Ticks and Their Bites
Medically reviewed by Kashif J. Piracha, MDMedically reviewed by Kashif J. Piracha, MDTick-borne diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are a public health concern in many parts of the United States. Fortunately, you can repel ticks and help prevent their bites.Ticks are tiny arachnids (relatives of spiders) that bite and feed on blood. They are more active in the warmer months, but a tick can bite you if the temperature is above freezing.Ticks begin biting when they are in their early larval stage, and many have a particular kind of animal they seek out. They don't usually bite humans till they are nymphs (immature ticks) or adults.
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Protect Yourself, Your Children, Pets, and HomeYou can avoid ticks by knowing where and when they are usually found. They mainly live in grasses, low shrubs, and woody plants. You can acquire ticks if you walk through grass that reaches your ankles or above.Learn when tick season is in your area and take the following measures to lower your risk of a tick bite when outdoors. A state's health department may be a source of this information. You may also use the University of Rhode Island's interactive tool.Before Heading OutdoorsIf you're heading to potentially tick-infested areas, plan ahead. It's worth the time and effort to do the following:Wear closed-toed shoes, socks that cover your shins, and long pants.Tuck your pant legs into your socks.Apply an insect repellent designed for ticks.Consider using the insecticide permethrin on your clothing, shoes, and gear. It takes several hours to dry, so plan ahead, but the protection can last for weeks.While OutdoorsLook at your surroundings and minimize your time walking through tall grasses and shrubs that harbor ticks. If you go for a hike or walk, stick to the center of the trail and areas that have been mowed.Ticks can easily live in backyards as well as the woods or other natural areas. So, don't assume a yard is a safe zone for ticks.After Being OutdoorsTicks grab onto potential hosts as they walk past, and they can hide in your clothing. When you go inside, toss your clothes in a tumble dryer on high heat for 10 to 15 minutes. This will kill any ticks on your clothing.If the clothes are damp, dry them in the dryer until they are both dry and hot. If you wash the clothes first, use hot water. Warm or cold water will not kill ticks. Then dry the clothes in the dryer at high heat until dry.Examine yourself, your companions, your gear, and your pets to check for ticks on the skin.Shower promptly after being outdoors to wash off ticks not attached to your skin. Take this time to do another thorough tick check after you undress. Use a mirror to look at all parts of your body, and pay particular attention to the following areas:Around your waistBack of your kneesBetween your legsBetween your toesIn and around your earsIn and around your scalp and hairIn armpitsInside your navelIf you find a tick, shower within two hours of exposure to reduce your risk of Lyme disease. It may also protect you against other tick-borne diseases.Tips for Creating a Tick-Free Zone Around Your HouseYou can take steps to reduce the number of ticks near your house.Consider using pesticides that kill ticks outside your home in areas that harbor them, like tall grass or woody shrubs. Check the best time to apply pesticide, and follow the instructions carefully. Use pesticides recommended for your region and follow any regulations about pesticide use. A state's health department website or county extension service may be a source of this information.You can also help reduce ticks near your house by doing the following:Clear tall grasses and brush.Create a 3-foot barrier with gravel or wood chips between your lawn and any wooded areas.Keep the grass short.Position outdoor activity areas like swing sets and decks away from trees and brush.Remove leaf litter on the ground.Remove trash, furniture, and mattresses from the yard.Stack wood in a dry area.Choosing an Insect RepellentSelect an insect repellent that is effective against ticks with ingredients that are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These include:DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide)PicaridinIR3535Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)Para-menthane-diol (PMD)2-undecanone.Don't use repellents containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old. On others, follow the instructions for use carefully.What to Do If You Find a TickIf you find a tick attached to your skin or that of someone else, or if you see one crawling before attaching, stay calm. Ticks are simple to remove, as follows::With a pair of clean household tweezers, grasp the tick without squeezing because you don't want to release blood or saliva from the tick.Pull straight up with steady pressure.Clean and disinfect the area.If the head of an attached tick doesn't come off, you can take a sterilized needle and gently scrape a bit of skin away so you can see the head. You may be able to remove it with the tweezers. If you can't, clean and disinfect the area—as the skin heals it will push the head out.If you want to keep the tick for examination at a lab, kill it with rubbing alcohol and store it safely in a plastic bag or container. If you choose to dispose of the tick, kill it, put it in a sealed bag, and put it safely in the trash.For 30 days, watch for symptoms like a rash, fever, headache, or weakness. Contact a healthcare provider if you have any symptoms.SummaryYou can help prevent the chance of getting a tick bite and the diseases they spread by wearing closed shoes, long pants, and socks tucked into your pants if you are going into a grassy or brushy area. You can apply a tick repellent to your skin, following directions carefully.Keep your yard mowed, and position your outside activity areas away from areas with trees, brush, or tall grasses.When you come inside, check your body carefully for ticks that may have attached and remove them with clean tweezers. Try to shower within two hours, which can help wash off any ticks that may be crawling on your skin. If you have symptoms like a rash, fever, headache, or other flu-like symptoms, contact a healthcare provider. Read the original article on Verywell Health.
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