Tick Defense: 6 Ways to Protect Yourself From Tick Bites
The summer is the perfect time to explore your outdoorsy side by spending more time in nature. Walking, jogging, and camping are just some of the activities you can enjoy in nature. However, the summer poses some unexpected risks in the form of creepy crawlies like ticks! Ticks are dangerous pests because they can carry life-threatening infections and diseases. They burrow into the skin and stay there long enough to cause discomfort, or worse, and infection. The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to prevent ticks from touching you. In this guide, we will explore the natural ways to protect yourself from tick bites, so you can enjoy your summer to the fullest!
Let’s explore the most practical ways to protect yourself from tick bites
In this article
Tick Defense: 6 Ways to Protect Yourself From a Tick Bite
#Stick to the middle of the road
When you are outdoors and hiking, in the mountains or in the fields, stick to the trail or the middle of the road. Ticks prefer to stay at the edges, in denser and more uncrowded areas, where they wait for their victims. So, make sure to walk where the path goes, and do not let your kids or pets go near the edges to make sure.
Always walk in the middle of the path, and not on the edges where ticks reside
#Wear white
Ticks are actually very small before they burrow into the skin. It is hard to spot them with the naked eye unless you purposefully look for them on your body. If you wear white clothing when you are outdoors, it will be easier to see the tick on your clothes before it bites you. However, that does not make you immune to their bites!
Wearing white will actually help you detect ticks more easily
#Protect your head
Your head can also be affected by a tick bite, so it is very important to protect it in time. If a tick burrows into the hair on your head, it can take a very long time before you feel or notice it. So, keep your hair tied up in a bun or a ponytail when you are spending time outside. Also, try to wear a hat more often. And, be sure to use a repellent spray if you are near dense vegetation.
Keeping your hair up and wearing a hat are two ways to protect your head from tick bites
#Lift your socks
To keep your lower area safe from ticks, wrap your socks over your pants. Tuck your pants into them so that your skin cannot be seen. This will make the skin on your legs harder for ticks to reach. You can also apply repellent to your clothes to more securely repel ticks.
Long socks will be your best friend in the fight against ticks
#Check skin folds and moist areas of the body
Ticks like to burrow into moist areas where the skin is thinner and has folds. These are usually areas of the body that are not often exposed. So, after you come home from a walk, inspect the following areas of the body – the groin, back of the knees, armpits, neck, hair, around the belly button, and below the breast line (for women). These are the places you should be extra careful with when looking for a tick!
After you come home, you need to inspect your body for ticks
#Get in the shower immediately
Checking your entire body for ticks is easiest when you are in the shower. So, make sure to immediately get in to shower after a walk in the mountains or in open lawns. Examine every area of the body for any hidden ticks. Also, scrub all skin folds thoroughly with a body sponge or scrub. That will make sure that you are all squeaky clean and free of any ticks!
Getting in the shower immediately after a walk outdoors is a must for detecting ticks
Now you know how to protect yourself from nasty tick bites!
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