The best defense is a good offense. If you’re going to a place where ticks that transmit Lyme disease are common, such as woods in the Northeast and Midwest, here’s what to do, according to Tulane University researcher Dr. Monica Embers.
- Treat your clothing with Permethrin spray, available in products like Insect Shield.
- Treat all exposed areas of your body with products that contain DEET, like Off Deep Woods.
- If you see a tick feeding on you, remove it carefully with a fine-tipped tweezer (not a lit match), save it in a sealed bag, and put it in the freezer. Then look online for testing centers near you where you can mail the tick. Testing the DNA of the tick will determine the species, so you will know what it might be transmitting.
- Typically, ticks feed for three to five days. Have a friend check your body after leaving any wooded areas, and be sure to check your scalp where they might hide.
- If you’re heading to the beach, remember that the brush which surrounds some beaches is a hiding place for ticks. Apply insect repellent after your sunscreen.
