How To Protect Yourself From Lyme Disease When Walking On Trails

Ailments related to Lyme Disease are on the rise. These include: headaches, fever, chills, and neck stiffness. Learn more about how to protect yourself from getting it from a walk you might take in an area (such as a park) where ticks are prevalent.

What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick. The most common symptom of Lyme disease is a rash that looks like a bulls-eye. Other symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and joint pain. Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause serious health problems, including neurological problems and death.

To prevent Lyme disease, it is important to avoid contact with ticks. When walking on trails, wear long pants and long sleeves to keep ticks from getting on your skin. Use insect repellent on your skin and clothing. Check your body for ticks after being in an area where they are known to live. If you find a tick on your body, remove it immediately and wash the area with soap and water.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi that is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected black-legged tick, also known as a deer tick. The first sign of Lyme disease is often a red, circular rash that appears 3-30 days after the tick bite. The rash may be small at first, but it can expand over time to form a large bull’s-eye shape.

Other early symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, chills, joint pain, headaches, and fatigue. If untreated, Lyme disease can spread to other parts of the body and cause more serious problems such as meningitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord), paralysis of facial muscles, and heart rhythm abnormalities. Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics.

How To Protect Yourself from Picking up Lyme Disease While Walking On Trails

Lyme disease is a serious infection that can be contracted by coming in contact with infected animals, such as deer ticks. Lyme disease can cause fever, headaches, and even paralysis. Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics, but it is important to try to prevent it from happening in the first place.

There are a few things you can do to protect yourself from Lyme disease while walking on trails. First, make sure to wear long pants and long sleeves. This will help to keep ticks off of your skin. Second, use an insect repellent that contains DEET. This will help to keep ticks away from you. Third, stay on the trail and avoid walking through tall grass or bushes where ticks might be hiding. Finally, check your body for ticks after you walk and remove any that you find right away.

What You Can Do to Prevent Getting Lyme Disease

The best way to prevent getting Lyme disease is to avoid exposure to ticks. Here are some tips for how you can do that:

-Wear long pants and long sleeves when you’re outdoors, especially in areas where there are a lot of trees or tall grass.

-Use insect repellent on your skin and clothing. Make sure to choose a repellent that contains at least 20% DEET.

-Check your body for ticks after you’ve been outdoors. Be sure to check all the nooks and crannies, like behind your knees, in your armpits, and in your hair.

-If you find a tick on your body, carefully remove it with tweezers. Don’t crush the tick, because that could release more infectious bacteria into your body.

Conclusion

Lyme disease is serious and can have long-lasting effects if not treated properly. The best way to avoid Lyme disease is to prevent it in the first place by using bug spray, wearing light-colored clothing, and avoiding wooded areas during peak tick season. If you do find a tick on your body, remove it immediately and see a doctor if you develop any symptoms of Lyme disease. By following these simple tips, you can enjoy your time outdoors without having to worry about Lyme disease.