How to protect oneself from ticks while hiking? - briefly
Wear light-colored, tightly woven long sleeves and pants, treat them and exposed skin with an EPA‑approved tick repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or permethrin, and remain on cleared paths to reduce contact with vegetation. After the trek, thoroughly inspect the body, especially hidden areas, and promptly remove any attached ticks with fine‑pointed tweezers.
How to protect oneself from ticks while hiking? - in detail
When planning a hike in tick‑infested areas, start with clothing choices. Wear long sleeves and long pants, tuck the pant legs into socks, and select light‑colored garments to make ticks easier to spot. Apply a permethrin‑based spray to shoes, socks, and the outer layer of clothing; reapply according to product instructions, typically after several washes.
Select a skin repellent containing 20‑30 % DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Apply it to all exposed skin, following label directions for amount and reapplication interval. Avoid applying repellents to children’s hands and faces; instead, use clothing treated with permethrin for protection.
During the walk, stay on cleared trails and avoid brushing against low vegetation. Tick activity peaks in warm, humid weather; adjust the route or timing if conditions are unfavorable.
Perform a systematic body inspection at least every two hours and immediately after returning home. Check scalp, behind ears, underarms, groin, behind knees, and between fingers. Use a hand mirror or enlist a partner for hard‑to‑see areas. If a tick is found, grasp it with fine‑pointed tweezers as close to the skin as possible, pull upward with steady pressure, and disinfect the bite site.
After the hike, wash clothing in hot water and tumble‑dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes; heat kills any remaining ticks. Shower promptly, letting water run over the body for at least five minutes to dislodge unattached ticks.
Maintain a record of any tick bites, noting date, location, and duration of exposure. If symptoms such as rash, fever, or fatigue appear within weeks, seek medical evaluation; early treatment reduces the risk of disease transmission.