Spring Means Ticks
Now that spring is here, it’s time to think about the non-winter friendly caches we passed up and heading out for all day geocaching adventures without worrying about frost bite. No, a different type of bite is the concern now, namely ticks. If you’re like me and I know I am, the thought of plucking these little devils off my skin sends chills up my spine. Better to play it safe though and be prepared.
First of all, most tick don’t carry disease and most bites are harmless. There is that small percentage of bites that can cause health issues that you need to be aware of before heading out. Common tick diseases include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis. Tick borne disease can cause flu-like symptoms usually within three weeks after a bite. If you develop symptoms like muscle aches, fever, nausea, vomiting, it’s time to see the doctor. Early detection is key in treatment.
So let’s say you’ve found a tick on you. Let’s dispense with the old husband tales first. Do not try to smother the tick with petroleum jelly, alcohol or anything else. You are only setting yourself up for an increased risk in infection. Put the matches away too. To remove the tick, grab it with a pair of tweezers as close to its mouth as possible and pull straight up. Afterwards, wash the area with a mild soap. If the site of the bite becomes infected or becomes worse, again, a visit to the doctor is in order.
So how do you prevent getting them in the first place? Avoiding areas where ticks are likely to be found is an option, but of course one that you’re liable to ignore if there is a good geocache there. My botany professor swore by wearing light-colored clothes to make them easy to spot. Long pants are a good precaution not just for ticks but also prickly ash and other pointy nemeses in the woods. Don’t forget your insect repellent with DEET. And while you’re out there too, don’t forget your dog. Frontline Plus is the best product on the market for killing ticks and fleas. Happy geocaching!
