Spring Has Sprung and So Have Ticks
Spring is upon us and ticks will become active soon. With increased tick activity comes the potential for exposure to the organism that causes Lyme disease. Reducing exposure to ticks is the best defense against Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections.
Here are some tips to protect yourself and your family against tick bites:
Do not walk barelegged in tall grass or woods where ticks may be found.
Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and high socks. Tuck pants legs into socks. Wear light- colored clothing so crawling ticks can be seen more easily.
Use insect repellent with 20 to 30 percent DEET on exposed skin and clothing to prevent tick bites.
Always follow the directions on the repellent label.
Wash off all repellents after going indoors.
Permethrin is another type of repellent that can be applied to clothing, but DO NOT apply it directly to the skin.
Conduct "tick checks" daily if spending a lot of time outdoors. Ticks are most often found on the thigh, arms, underarms, and legs.
In 2008, 18.4 percent of susceptible ticks submitted to the Iowa Lyme Disease Surveillance Program tested positive for the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease, and 109 human cases of Lyme disease were reported to the IDPH. [Iowa Department of Public Health, Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology]