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Tips For Backpackers And Travellers To Avoid Ticks And Lyme Disease
ould you know how to and exercise is good for us, so
remove a tick? Did you the outdoors should not be
know that the old wives' avoided because of the fear of
tales for removing them should be catching something or getting
avoided? Never attempt to bitten. However, it is better to
burn them off, crush them with avoid the bite than deal with
your fingers, cover them with possible consequences like Lyme
petroleum jelly or apply any disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted
other chemicals. These methods Fever (U.S.) or other tick-borne
may actually heighten the risk of illnesses.
infection by causing the tick to
produce excess saliva or vomit Ticks resemble tiny spiders.
into the wound! Yes…Yuk! There are several types of ticks
and the diseases they carry
A tick will remove itself from depend on the geographical
your body once it is engorged location. Ticks are reported to
with your blood by simply falling be the next most prolific
off, but this process can take spreader of disease after the
several hours or even days. As mosquito. Although mainly
revolting as this subject is, it inhabiting woodland areas, they
should give backpackers, are also found in our gardens and
travellers, and even those who city parks. They are most active
think they are safe pottering in in warm weather but are present
the garden, the urge to read on… all year (even in Britain). Lyme
disease is common across the
This article is not intended to United States, often transmitted
cause alarm, but to heighten by deer ticks, with thousands of
awareness of ticks and the cases reported each year. It is
potential for catching the not as well known in the U.K.,
diseases they carry. Fresh air but many will be surprised to
learn that hundreds of cases are it can, but its favourite spots
reported each year. Lyme disease to feed are the neck, head,
is also found in Europe, armpits, back of the knees, groin
especially Scandinavian and navel areas. Taking a photo
countries, as well as in Austria, of any rash that develops at the
Germany and Switzerland. Cases site of the bite before it
have been reported in many other disappears can help convince
parts of the world, including doctors to take symptoms
Australia, S. Africa, China, seriously. Many victims remain
Japan, and the former Soviet undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed
Union. because doctors are not well
educated about tick bites and
A tick bite does not Lyme disease. It's often up to
automatically mean it will always the patient to be pro-active and
result in Lyme or any other pursue it by informing the doctor
disease. Not all ticks carry the that they have been bitten and
disease but, unfortunately, some requesting tests and treatment.
ticks are capable of carrying
more than one disease. Those who Tips to avoid encounters with
are bitten and infected do not ticks:
always experience symptoms, and
often are not even aware they * Wear light coloured clothing
have been bitten, so the disease and long sleeves.
can be hard to pin down.
* Tuck trouser legs into socks
Successful diagnosis may hinge and shirt into trousers.
upon relating it to a bite -
which is why awareness and * Wear shoes or boots rather than
knowledge is so important. The open sandals.
tick will latch onto you any way
* Check yourself after sitting on can be examined if symptoms
grass or logs, brushing past occur. If head or mouth parts of
branches or leaning against tree the tick break off under the skin
trunks. during removal they must also be
taken out or medical help
* Use a light-coloured picnic obtained as this can heighten the
blanket to easily spot ticks and chance of infection.
other insects.
If symptoms occur following a
* Inspect outdoor pets regularly bite, antibiotic treatment should
for ticks and keep them off begin as quickly as possible.
furniture. Symptoms of Lyme disease might
include skin rash, headache,
* Arrange with travel companions fatigue, fever, muscle and joint
to check each other for signs of aches and swollen lymph glands.
ticks (or use a mirror to check Left untreated the disease may
the parts you can't see). spread to other parts of the body
and cause chronic problems.
* Use insect repellents effective
against ticks. Apologies to the squeamish and
arachnophobic who now have one
* Check clothing and shoes before more thing to worry about! A
entering your car or home. vaccine against Lyme disease is
not available at the time of
Education is vital in avoiding writing, so backpackers, hikers
and removing ticks. Know the and campers should be especially
correct method for removing them vigilant. It is hoped that this
from the skin, preferably with information will remind lovers of
tweezers or a special removal the outdoors to take extra care
tool. Keep the tick so that it and avoid unwanted close
encounters of the buggy kind.
Published At: www.Isnare.com
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