Facts
- Ticks are bloodsucking parasites that feed on mammals, birds, reptiles and others.
- They are dependent on blood and tissue fluids from the host.
- More vector-borne diseases are transmitted by ticks than any other agent.
- The longer an infective tick feeds, the greater the chance of infection.
- Ticks can attach for hours or days.
- Disease will not be transmitted if tick is removed quickly.
Prevention
- Spray clothing with 0.5 % permethrin and dry overnight to kill ticks before they can attach.
- Wear insect repellants with DEET.
- Combining Permethrin on clothing and DEET on skin is 100% effective against ticks.
- Wear long clothing of tightly woven material.
- Tuck pant legs into socks.
- Avoid shrubbery.
- Stay on widest part of the path.
- Inspect body regularly when traveling through thick brush.
Planning/Packing Guide
- Long clothing of tightly woven material treated with permethrin
- Insect repellent with DEET
First Aid
- Remove tick with tweezers by grasping skin at insertion site (not the tick's body) and pulling straight outward.
- Do NOT use hot wires, matches, glue, fingernail polish or Vaseline.
- Clean wound with antiseptic.
- Cold packs or damp towels and 1% hydrocortisone cream for itching
- Oral antihistamine (Benadryl) for allergic reaction
- Oral pain medication for pain and itch
- Be alert to signs of illness.
Related Links
- Tick Bites: First Aid http://www.mayoclinic.com/heatlh/first-aid-tick-bites/FA00062/METHOD=printabout