What to use to protect skin from ticks? - briefly
Use EPA‑registered repellents with at least 20 % DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin, and wear clothing pretreated with permethrin. After outdoor activity, inspect and remove any attached ticks promptly.
What to use to protect skin from ticks? - in detail
Effective skin protection against ticks relies on a combination of chemical repellents, physical barriers, and proper application techniques.
Topical repellents containing DEET (20‑30 % concentration) provide long‑lasting protection, typically up to eight hours on exposed skin. Permethrin, applied to clothing rather than directly to skin, creates a contact‑kill zone; a 0.5 % solution on shirts, pants, and socks remains active after several washes. Picaridin (10‑20 %) offers comparable efficacy to DEET with reduced odor and skin irritation.
When selecting a product, consider the following criteria:
- Active ingredient concentration compatible with skin sensitivity.
- Duration of protection required for the activity (e.g., short hike versus full‑day exposure).
- Compatibility with sunscreen; apply repellents after sunscreen has fully absorbed.
Application guidelines:
- Clean, dry skin before applying any repellent.
- Dispense the product onto the hands, then spread evenly over all uncovered areas, avoiding eyes, mouth, and open wounds.
- Reapply according to the manufacturer’s recommended interval, especially after swimming, sweating, or towel drying.
Additional measures enhance protection:
- Wear light‑colored, tightly woven garments that cover as much skin as possible.
- Treat clothing with permethrin according to label instructions; allow it to dry before wearing.
- Perform thorough body checks after outdoor activities, focusing on hidden zones such as behind ears, under arms, and between toes.
By integrating chemically active repellents with treated apparel and diligent post‑exposure inspection, individuals can substantially lower the risk of tick bites and the diseases they may transmit.