Health question

[Lam123]

Hi everyone,

So, I am going camping this summer with my son, he's 6 years old, for the first time. He is so excited. I on the other hand, I am terrified of getting bitten by a tick and getting Lyme disease. I guess I feel with crohns, arthritis and other health issues to look after, I really don't need any others if I can help it. So, my question is, how do I properly protect my son and I from ticks? Bug spray? Do I spray everything? Is bug spray safe for my son?

Let me know any info you have or tips you have used while camping.

Thanks!

 

[Asher]

Here's what I do

Wear pants if you're going in the woods or hanging closely around trees. Tuck your pants INTO your socks that way the ticks can't crawl into your skin. Avoid tall grass, ticks like to hang out there. Wear bug spray. I use the deep woods Off spray - that's good for clothes and skin. There is some intense ones that cannot go on your skin but has to go on your clothes 24 hours before Wearing them. Wear long sleeves/hat if you want more protection. Ticks like hair & sweaty spots. So at the end of each night, I check myself---everywhere! Maybe even get a close friend to check for you hahaha run your fingers through your hair, across your skin. I've never had one embedded in me. But I hear it feels like a pimple. I've had ticks on my skin, but as long as they don't bury inside the skin, it's okay. Also, a good reminder is that not every tick carries the disease. If a tick does embed, make sure to remove it safely! Don't just pull it off without caution, you could break the head off inside the skin, and that's how the infection happens.

They can be TINY buggers, so just pay attention. I'm like you, I fear them, but I also want to try and not let them
Ruin my time in the great outdoors good luck & have fun! I do think bug spray is safe for your son, but use your own judgement!

 

[2010mustang]

I deal with ticks daily. Between hunting and yard work. Just get some high yield 38 and spray it around your sleeping area. It keeps tick population down for about 8 weeks. In walmart they have sentless tick and bug washes for clothing in the sporting goods section.

 

[Lam123]

Where do I get yield 38? Should I spray my tent with yield 38?

 

[2010mustang]

I get mine from the coop you will need a 1 gallon spray bottle. I would just spray the surrounding area. I spray it 3 times each summer due to how much rain i get and how quick my grass grows. On dry years it last about 8 wks and i will only see 3 or 4 ticks. If i dont spray i would see that each day. I have had lots of ticks due to hunting and never had a problem. Remenber to check all areas. The main places i see them is head arms or groin area. Just gently pull with tweezers. Never once got sick and have had 100s of them attach in my lifetime.

 

[Lam123]

Do I spray the tent with just regular bug spray then? I'm in canada, not sure where I will find yield 38, but I will look. Also, what do I use to protect the head?

 

[2010mustang]

I dont spray my tents or my put anything on me but regular bug spray. I dont worry about ticks much. Its highly unlikely that you will get sick. Lots of my friends and i camp alot and have had ticks latch on and not one of us have ever got sick. No one i have ever met who goes in the outdoors has either.

 

[Lam123]

So when they latch onto you, just pull it off?

 

[teeny5]

Here's some instructions on how to remove one...

http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/removal/

 

[Lam123]

Thank you all so much! I really appreciate it.

 

[Lady Organic]

i understand your concern completely. i have concerns too about Lyme disease and this tic, but I have concerns about insect repellants as well and would not put that on my skin, nor would I want to breath it. Ive heard of pine oil extract/essential oil as natural insect repellant. may be worth inquiring about it. when we go in the woods, its best to cover as much as possible, especially the feet and legs area. I'd bring long socks and put pants inside.

Most importantly is to make a daily full body check up of skin bites, or rashes. Lime tics will give a typical rash when they bite. bring a camera to photograph just in case. when it is taken at the good time and seek medical care, doctors will give medication so that we dont develop the disease. i think there is a 2 week window we can interveen, but im not exactly sure... im sure the Internet has plenty of info about it. good vacation!

 

[Lisa]

It's interesting - although my horses get ticks every year when they are out in my 'pasture' (mix of woods, brush and grass) - I think in the last 10 years I have had maybe one or two get on me. My daughter has had a couple - the worst was one she got when I was away overnight, the next afternoon she was complaining of a 'pimple' on the back of her neck...my husband had looked at it without his glasses and missed that it was a tick. I took one look and inside we went to try to get it out....yuk...she was fine though.

I've been camping this year too with no ticks (watch me get one this coming weekend lol)....as was already mentioned, long pants tucked into socks, and do a 'tick check' when you get back. Remember the deer ticks can be teeny tiny so look closely.

With all the things in the world that can happen to me, and my medical history so far, I'm not really worrying about a tick bite - at least there is treatment! Doesn't mean I want one though.....~~shudder~~

 

[The Real MC]

You don't have to be in the woods to pick up a tick. Years ago I found a deer tick on my arm while in my apartment. If it was in my arm then it didn't get there from any ground foliage and I had not been anywhere near grass or woods the entire day. I had to go to ER to get the stubborn b@st@rd removed. The tick tested positive for Lyme but thankfully I caught it within a 24 hour period and did not contract the disease.

When camping, check yourself for ticks frequently. If you get them removed within a 24 hour period then you won't contract Lyme disease. Stitch in time...