What should you do to avoid getting infected by ticks? - briefly
Wear long sleeves and pants, treat skin and clothing with an EPA‑registered repellent, and conduct thorough body and gear inspections after outdoor exposure, removing any attached ticks promptly with fine‑point tweezers.
What should you do to avoid getting infected by ticks? - in detail
To reduce the risk of acquiring a tick‑borne disease, follow a systematic set of practices before, during, and after exposure to tick habitats.
First, choose clothing that creates a physical barrier. Wear long sleeves, long trousers, and tuck pants into socks or boots. Light‑colored garments make it easier to spot attached arthropods. Apply a repellents containing at least 20 % DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin and the outer surface of clothing. Reapply according to the product’s instructions, especially after swimming or heavy sweating.
Second, avoid high‑risk environments whenever possible. Stay on cleared paths, avoid dense underbrush, and steer clear of areas with tall grass, leaf litter, or brush where ticks are known to quest. When traversing such zones, use a stick to disturb vegetation ahead of you, reducing the chance of ticks climbing onto you.
Third, conduct thorough inspections immediately after leaving the outdoors. Use a mirror or enlist a partner to examine hard‑to‑see areas: scalp, behind ears, neck, armpits, groin, behind knees, and between toes. Remove any found ticks promptly with fine‑tipped tweezers, grasping as close to the skin as possible, and pull straight upward with steady pressure. Disinfect the bite site and wash hands afterward.
Fourth, treat clothing and gear after use. Place items in a dryer on high heat for at least ten minutes; temperatures above 45 °C (113 °F) kill ticks. If a dryer is unavailable, seal clothing in a plastic bag for two weeks to starve any attached ticks.
Finally, stay informed about local tick activity and prevalent pathogens. Consult health‑department alerts for emerging risks and consider prophylactic antibiotics if a tick bite is identified within 72 hours and the tick species is known to transmit certain infections. Prompt medical evaluation for symptoms such as fever, rash, or joint pain can prevent severe disease progression.
By integrating protective attire, repellents, habitat avoidance, meticulous post‑exposure checks, and proper decontamination of personal items, the likelihood of contracting a tick‑borne infection can be minimized.