Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably noticed the growing epidemic of Lyme disease. Honestly, the entire situation baffles me! Just 10 years ago, unless you were in the woods a lot or hiking in the mountains, the chances of finding a tick on you was slim to none. Now you can't walk from your car to your front door step without wondering if you should do a tick check! Where are these evil little bugs coming from? Is someone dropping them out of the sky? Is someone in a laboratory breeding them? That is a joke, of course, but either way, no matter what is causing this over-abundance of ticks and increase in Lyme disease outbreaks, you need to do everything you can to protect yourself and your family from this debilitating disease.
First things first, Lyme disease is not a small sickness. Contrary to popular belief, you can't just go to the doctor and get a week of antibiotics and be on your merry way, living life as usual. If you do find out you have Lyme immediately, they say within 1-3 months of antibiotics is key. Some people have contracted the disease long before realizing it, and it had already started wreaking havoc in their cells and throughout their entire system, unfortunately causing chronic illness and symptoms that can last for years after getting treatment. How do I know this? I've been a Lyme disease warrior for over 14 years, and trust me, you wouldn't wish this disease on your worst enemy! I've met countless others on my journey, including close friends, and this is not a battle you want to ever fight. Although there is no cure for Lyme, there are treatments, but every body is different and you have to find the right treatment for you. This is as far as I will go into detail for now with our chat about Lyme because this blog is about prevention, so here are a few ways to protect yourself!
#1. Your home should be a safe haven for you and your family. Now, just as a disclaimer, I normally use anything and everything that is as natural as possible, but when it comes to this, I take NO chances. As soon as spring hits, we spray our lawn and around our home with tick repellent pesticide. You can find what's best for your yard at your favorite home and yard supply store, as they also have more natural alternatives available. This may be a better option for those with young children and pets. The staff at these types of stores is usually helpful, so if you're not sure about what to use, just ask! The price ranges anywhere from $10-$30.
#2. Always, and I mean ALWAYS carry a tick repellent spray. Spray yourself as soon as you go outside and reapply throughout the day. You can make your own with essentials oils or buy one that's pre-made. My favorite is made by Eco-sense, a natural tick repellent that I get from my favorite online store. It's also deet free so you don't have to worry about toxins and chemicals on you and your kids, and it smells great! Whenever my daughter's friend's come over, they always ask me to spray them. Plus, it is safe for using on your pets, too!
#3. Wear tall rubber boots and light colored clothing. It's harder for ticks to crawl up rubber boots, and if you're wearing light colors, it's easier to spot them. Avoid tall grasses and wooded areas, unless you are hiking of course! Also, staying in the sun and dressing light helps as well.
#4. Every time you go back into the house, do a tick check on you, your kids, and your pets. Make sure to check behind the ears and all through the hair, as those little buggers like to hide and you don't want to miss anywhere. If you do find a tick, don't panic - just gently remove the tick by turning it around and around until it comes out. Gently is key, as you don't want to rip or pull it off since their jaws are locked, and if you do pull too hard, it releases infections which are sometimes just as bad as the Lyme itself! Some people buy a tick removal tool for easier removal, and also a test kit, so you can send the tick in to get tested to make sure it wasn't carrying Lyme or other diseases.
There you have it - 4 quick and simple ways to prevent ticks, both around you, your home, and your loved ones! Stay safe, have fun and enjoy the rest of your summer!
Note: For more information on how to support kids with Lyme go to http://livlymefoundation.org/ Also, we have included affiliate links in our posts, and thank you for supporting our Mom Possible team!