Preventing Lyme Disease: Precautions for a Safer Outdoors

preventing lyme disease with personal protection in the wild

When we are spending time outdoors, enjoying the backyard, and especially when in natural habitats, preventing Lyme disease isn’t the first thing on our minds.

However, according to the HHS Report on Access to Care for Lyme Disease, it’s something to be aware of and to promote through social media, events, and word of mouth.

As Prescription Hope is a named care provider within the HHS report, we are pleased to provide further information and awareness to prevent this illness from becoming a wider issue.

In this article, we will discuss and describe various strategies and precautions to avoid and prevent Lyme disease.

With that in mind, let’s begin with a quick overview of what Lyme disease is, then we’ll head into more detail on the numerous ways of preventing Lyme disease from occurring in your immediate environment and the wider community.

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Preventing Lyme disease – Overview of Lyme disease

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks.

It is prevalent in many parts of the world, particularly in North America, Europe, and Asia, and has expanded in the last 20 years as you can see from the map below.

How serious is Lyme disease - Lyme Disease Spread 2001 - 2021 (USA) Preventing Lyme disease helps
How serious is Lyme disease – Lyme Disease Spread 2001 – 2021 (USA)

The disease can lead to various health complications if left untreated, making increased knowledge, and awareness in preventing Lyme disease critical.

Understanding Lyme disease symptoms

Before diving into prevention methods, it’s essential to understand the disease symptoms should they occur.

Lyme disease often presents with symptoms like fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash known as erythema migrans, which often presents as a bulls-eye pattern rash.

You can learn more about the symptoms of Lyme disease in our article which gives more detailed information.

If left untreated, Lyme disease can progress to more severe symptoms affecting the joints, heart, and nervous system.

Learn more about the main stages of Lyme disease here

Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent long-term complications.

We hope that has at least provided an overview. For a more in-depth analysis of Lyme disease, read our article on What is Lyme Disease.

Now let’s dive into the various ways of preventing Lyme disease before it happens.

wear protective clothing when walking or hiking

Personal protection measures

Wear Protective Clothing

When venturing into areas with potential tick habitats (wooded or grassy areas), cover exposed skin with long-sleeved shirts, and long pants.

Tucking pants into socks can help prevent ticks from crawling up your legs.

Avoiding open-ended shoes or sandals where ticks can connect with the skin is highly recommended.

Use Tick Repellent

Apply Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered tick repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin and clothing.

Follow the instructions and reapply as needed, especially if you are sweating or swimming as moisture and sweat may attract more insects including ticks.

Conduct Frequent Tick Checks

After spending time outdoors, thoroughly check your body and clothing for ticks. Pay extra attention to hidden areas such as the scalp, behind the ears, underarms, and groin.

That’s a roundup of what we can all do to protect ourselves personally in preventing Lyme disease. Now let’s take a look at how each household can create a tick-free yard.

check for ticks regularly

Creating a Tick-Free Yard

Landscape Maintenance

Keep grass trimmed short and remove leaf litter, fallen branches, and other debris to reduce tick habitat around your home.

Install Barriers

Create physical barriers such as gravel or wood chips between lawns and wooded areas to discourage ticks from migrating into your yard.

Use Acaricides

Consider using acaricides (tick pesticides) in areas where ticks may be present, but be cautious about using them in areas frequented by children and pets.

Lyme disease not only occurs in humans but also in pets. So here are some hints and tips for preventing Lyme disease in pets.

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Protecting Pets

Consult a Veterinarian

Speak to your veterinarian about tick prevention options for your pets, such as tick collars, spot-on treatments, or oral medications.

Regular Check-ups

Routinely inspect your pets for ticks, especially after spending time outdoors, and promptly remove any ticks you find.

Limit Outdoor Access

Minimize your pet’s exposure to tick-prone areas, and avoid letting them roam freely in wooded or overgrown places.

If you discover that despite all your efforts in preventing Lyme disease, you still find a tick has made it through the net and has attached itself to you or another person – or even your pet, then early detection and removal are crucial.

Here’s some further help on removing a tick once it is discovered.

Tick Removal

Proper Technique

If you find a tick attached to your skin, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Gently pull upward with steady pressure to remove the entire tick.

Avoid Home Remedies

Do not use substances like nail polish, petroleum jelly, or heat to remove ticks, as these methods can lead to increased transmission risks.

We can all help reduce the cases of Lyme disease from increasing by generating more awareness about the disease. All of which help prevent Lyme disease.

Promoting Tick Awareness

Education

Raise awareness about Lyme disease, its symptoms, and prevention measures within your community, schools, and workplaces.

Campaigns and Resources:

Support and participate in tick-awareness campaigns organized by public health organizations. Share reliable resources on social media platforms to spread awareness.

If you need professional help regarding ways of preventing Lyme disease, then here’s what yu can do…

Seeking Professional Help

Engage Pest Control Services

If you have a severe tick infestation around your home, consider seeking professional pest control services to address the issue effectively.

Consult Healthcare Professionals

If you suspect you have been bitten by a tick or experience symptoms of Lyme disease, seek medical attention promptly.

If you have been diagnosed with Lyme disease and are required to take medication, then Prescription Hope is here to help. Enroll here for our medication access service where you may be eligible to obtain your medications for as little $60.00 per month through Prescription Hope’s medication access service per medication.

pest control service

Early Detection and Treatment

Be Vigilant

Stay vigilant for symptoms of Lyme disease, especially if you have been in tick-prone areas.

Learn more about the potential Symptoms of Lyme disease, as well as more information on the variety of Tick-borne diseases that are at large.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

If you notice a characteristic skin rash or any Lyme disease symptoms, consult a healthcare professional immediately.

Early treatment with antibiotics can prevent the disease from progressing.

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Preventing Lyme Disease – Next steps

Preventing Lyme disease requires a combination of personal precautions, yard maintenance, pet protection, tick awareness, and early detection.

By adopting these strategies and precautions, individuals and communities can significantly reduce the risk of contracting Lyme disease and enjoy a safer outdoor experience. Remember, vigilance and prompt action are key to protecting yourself and your loved ones from this potentially debilitating disease.

For Lyme disease medications or any other medications you may currently be taking, enroll in our medication access service. You may be eligible for low-cost monthly medications.

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