A big camping concern is ticks which can carry several types of infections, including Lyme disease. If left untreated, these insect bites can be threatening. You cannot avoid the ticks in the woods, but can take some precautions from tick bites. Common types of ticks are wood ticks and deer ticks. The deer ticks carry Lyme disease.
Finding and removing a tick early is key to the prevention of Lyme disease. If a tick is attached to your skin, grab it with tweezers as close to your skin as possible and pull it straight out. Do not use Vaseline. It will kill the tick and cause more harm. Also do not squeeze the tick, it can cause all the infected material of the tick to enter into your skin. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water and use a disinfectant.
Five Step Tick Preventions For Campers
1.Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, boots or sturdy shoes and a head covering. Ticks are easier to detect on light-colored clothing. Tuck trouser cuffs in socks. Tape the area where pants and socks meet so ticks cannot crawl under clothing.
2. Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. Do not spray directly to the face; spray the repellent onto hands and then apply to face. Avoid sensitive areas like the eyes, mouth and nasal membranes. Be sure to wash treated skin after coming indoors. Use repellents containing permethrin to treat clothes especially pants, socks and shoes but not skin. Always follow label directions; do not misuse or overuse repellents. Always supervise children in the use of repellents.
3.Walk in the center of trails so weeds do not brush against you. In camping areas, individuals who sit on the ground or disturb leaf litter on the forest floor may encounter ticks.
4.Check yourself, children and other family members every two to three hours for ticks. Most ticks seldom attach quickly and rarely transmit disease organisms until they have been attached four or more hours. If your pets spend time outdoors, check them for ticks, too.
5.If ticks are crawling on the outside of clothes, they can be removed with masking tape or cellophane tape. A ring of tape can be made around the hand by leaving the sticky side out and attaching the two ends. Ticks will stick to the tape which can then be folded over and then placed in the trash.
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