Take measures to protect against ticks in the wild Posted on Wed, Jan. 23, 2008Digg del.icio.us AIM print email By CHUCK MYERS McClatchy-Tribune The largest problem when hiking sometimes comes in the smallest package -ticks.
Ticks, a small insect that can carry a wide range of diseases, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease, typically infest vegetation along a trail. Always in the mood to bite, a tick usually attaches itself to a passing person when the individual brushes up against a plant, such as leaf litter or shrubs.
Fortunately, a few simple steps, provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can offer hikers better protection when outdoors.
Avoid tick-infested areas. Many local health departments, parks and cooperative extension services have information about the areas most infested with ticks. In a tick-infested area, walk in the center of the trails to avoid contact with vegetation.
Wear light-colored clothing, which allows you to see more easily any ticks on your clothing. Tuck pant legs into your socks so that ticks cannot crawl up inside. Some ticks can crawl down into shoes and are small enough to crawl through most socks.
Use chemical repellent with DEET or permethrin. Repellents containing permethrin can be sprayed on boots and clothing. When used in this manner, the repellent will be protective for several days. Repellents containing DEET can be applied to the skin, but it only protects for a few hours. Parents should apply this product to children, avoiding the hands, eyes and mouth.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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[ 25. January 2008, 01:59 PM: Message edited by: Lymeblue ]
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Can anyone post a quick comment here to help encourage the paper (and reporter) and to thank them for FINALLY getting something out about Lyme in the paper?
No need to register.. so it is VERY easy.
Thanks!
And thanks to Blue for catching this one and sharing it.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
6-7 replies; here's mine:
for some reason, my name didn't show on the one above thanking Chuck for the article and giving additional info on how to dress, etc. I'll try again!
Chuck, thank you for your article on Ticks carrying LYME disease, and the possibility of being bitten as you are hiking, etc.
Ticks also fall off trees. Many lyme patients have had them just fall onto their shoulders as they walk under trees!
FYI, A "live" tick fell off my folk's live CHRISTMAS tree in 1969. I was bitten, and never knew it!! I didn't see a tick on me, nor embedded, nor did I have the "bulls-eye" rash ... a sure thing stating I have lyme or one of the many OTHER CO-INFECTIONS!
Also when preparing to be outside ... gardening, hhiking, playing ball, picnicking, always wear:
a HAT, gloves when gardening/hiking, SHOES and SOCKS, Also, use masking tape on your long-sleeved shirt right around the armpit area to keep ticks from climbing up and into your shirt. Sleeves should be tucked inside your gloves. A bandana/farmer's hankerchiefs should be tied around the neckline keeping out the ticks.
Masking tape should be used on your light-colored slacks around the crotch area as ticks love moistened areas!
For more information, please go to www.lda.org ir www.ilads.org to read ALL the symptoms of lyme or the many co-infections:
Thank you Chuck again for helping to educate the public. Ticks are around yearly; even in our wintery weather...so sad to say!
Posted by: Betty G, Iowa 1/25/2008 4:15 AM
Posted by mushroomman06 (Member # 13088) on :
I sent mine. We must help get awareness to the population. Word of mouth and newspaper stories will help but there is so much more to LYME disease that is hard to get across to one.
Posted by Lymeblue (Member # 6897) on :
up for more comments.....people it is just few minutes.....I need your fingers to type there!!!!!
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
Done!! Up up UP*)!*!!
Posted by Lymeblue (Member # 6897) on :
UP!!!
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
keep them coming; 12-18 there.
how do you get the stars so you can RATE them? I tried giving myself a 5; kept showing O...sheesh! Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
I hope I did it right. I just posted in the comment box and gave them my personal email address.
Here's what I wrote:
I wish you could do a follow-up article interviewing someone who actually contracted Lyme Disease...there is nothing simple about it. The also unknown fact to the public is that within a tick, there could be more than just Lyme Disease.
I got Lyme Disease and Bartonella from a tick. My brother got Lyme Disease and Babesia from a tick. My father got Lyme Disease, Babesia and Ehrlicia from a tick.
Lyme Disease, if gone undiagnosed can effect the entire nervous system of a person's body, so when they are finally diagnosed, it can take years of treatment to bring them back to normalcy...if ever.
My sister-in-law was MIS-diagnosed with MS when she went blind in one eye and started having tremors and motor skill problems. She was diagnosed by a top neurologist in Boston. Guess what? He was wrong and she had Lyme Disease. After a year and a half on anitbiotics, she is now fully recovered and has full vision in both her eyes.
Please visit the website wildcondor.com (or check out youtube.com for Brooke Landaus' story) and read (and view) their Lyme stories. These women's websites/interviews are thorough, accurate and lend a reality to what infected ticks can really do to a person. These infections destroy family's, marriages and lives.
I live in Hollywood, FL and would be more than happy to be interviewed about my experience and my entire family's experience with Lyme Disease and co-infections such as Bartonella, Babesia and Ehrlicia. This is the highest growing disease since HIV and is just as taxing and dangerous to the body.
The CDC has no idea and is turning a blind eye because the health care companies don't want to pay for the long treatment. Please inform people...so many are suffering silently, undiagnosed while this bacteria is deepening and festering into their tissues.
I can be reached at: XXXXXXXXX
I couldn't go into too much detail but if they want to interview me, I'll need some prepping from you guys!
Clarissa
Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
This is just my Bart/OCD talking but I never got a confirmation that they (the Miami Herald) received my post!
I put it in the box and then hit the button. Did anyone else get a confirmation?
If you did, then let me know and I'll send it again...or feel free to cut and paste and just give them your email address then pm me if they want to get in touch.
I just HOPE HOPE they got it! I want to help so much.
Clarissa
Posted by Lymeblue (Member # 6897) on :
Yep Clarissa it is posted. Congratulations!!!
Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
Oh, great. Thanks for checking!
Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
Up. It takes a village, friends...please write even if it's just a few sentences.
Don't be overwhelmed...just try, please!
Best Wishes,
Clarissa
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Good stuff you guys!
Keep 'em coming!
Posted by Lymeblue (Member # 6897) on :
up...
Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
and again...
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
great start; we can do better; MORE, MORE MORE! THANK YOU!
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