Tick Bite Prevention Week
23rd March 2022
23rd March 2022
From 21st to 27th March it is Tick Bite Prevention Week. This annual awareness week, which aligns with Lyme Disease Awareness Month, provides the opportunity to learn about prevention and protection against ticks.
There are several steps to take to ensure people are properly protected to safeguard against tick-related threats.
With a 44% increase in Lyme Disease cases last year, it’s now more imperative than ever to be aware and alert to the dangers of ticks.
After a series of lockdowns owing to the pandemic, we’re far more likely to want to spend time outdoors this spring and summer. Unfortunately, as temperatures rise and people spend more time outside, the threat of tick bites and transmission of diseases increase.
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness and symptoms include fever, chills, headache, fatigue and a bullseye-shaped rash. Lyme disease can have long-lasting effects if not treated quickly, such as Bell’s palsy, arthritis and swelling of the joints.
Nancy Troyano, Board Certified Entomologist and Director of Operations Education and Training for Ehrlich Pest Control, shares her top 10 tips for preventing tick bites:
Cover up: If you are going to be outside for an extended period, consider wearing long trousers, long sleeves and closed-toe shoes. If you are hiking or in wooded areas, tuck your trousers into your socks to prevent ticks from crawling up your trouser legs.
Insect repellent: Use repellents with ingredients that have been evaluated for safety and efficacy. Repellents with one of the following active ingredients is recommended to prevent tick bites:
Stay away from thick vegetation: Try to stay away from thick vegetation. Stay in the centre of hiking trails and try to keep your pets from rubbing against bushy plants.
Lighten up: Light-coloured clothing makes it easier to spot ticks.
Daily inspections: When coming in from the outdoors, inspect yourself, your family and your pets for ticks.
Keep your garden tidy: Remove weeds and cut grass low. Ticks love to hide in vegetation.
Regular vet appointments: Maintain routine check-ups for your pets and ask your veterinarian about tick prevention.
Frequent grooming: Keep your pets safe by maintaining frequent grooming to keep their fur tidy, which makes it easier to spot ticks.
Remove the tick ASAP: If you have taken these precautions and still spot a tick on yourself, remove it ASAP. The longer it is attached, the higher the chance of pathogen transmission. Use tweezers to grasp the tick by the head, as close to the skin as possible and pull straight up. Do not twist the tick or grasp by the abdomen, which could potentially squeeze pathogens from the tick right into the bite site. Use tweezers to gently grab the tick near the head and as close to the skin as possible.
Preserve the tick in isopropyl alcohol and call your doctor immediately.
Taking your dog for a walk should be a positive experience but being aware and alert can futureproof any health issues for you and your four-legged friend. At Collared in The Pantiles, they have a range of top-quality products from around the world to help with your daily strolls – from collars and leads to grooming gear and other accessories, they are well equipped to ensure you and your pooch are safe and stylish on your spring and summer saunters!
Should you want further advice about pest bites, or tools to aid removal, you can head in-store to Imperial pharmacy at The Pantiles. Imperial Pharmacy is an independent pharmacy that dispenses both NHS and private prescriptions. Their aim is for you to achieve the maximum benefit from your medicines alongside other vital services and the range of health and beauty products that they stock.
#TickPreventionWeek