A group prepares for a healthy day outdoors by dressing in the advised Lyme disease and West Nile prevention clothing guidelines.
Credits:
publichealth.yale.edu
While the threat of West Nile Virus is on the rise in the media, let us not forget about the threat of Lyme disease. What do the two have in common? Well for starters, they are both blood sucking insects. Why are blood sucking insects such a threat to us? Think of it this way. When they suck our blood, they release some of theirs back into our own bloodstream. What does theirs consist of? Bacteria and disease, that as humans, our systems are not equipped to deal with. Although ticks and mosquitoesmay get along just fine with West Nile and Lyme disease in their systems, that is only due to the fact that their systems are equipped to handle them.
People with chronic illnesses, for example, Lyme disease, are much more at risk of being unable to successfully recover from West Nile once contracting it due to their already compromised immune systems. Really, as far as clothes go, the prevention for both West Nile and Lyme disease are similar. To be on the safe side, let’s look at how to best prevent either from happening:
Lyme disease prevention:
Always check yourself for ticks after being outside. Check ALL over. Ticks seek out the warmest spot on your body, especially you’re the back of your knees, groin, navel, armpit, ears, and nape of the neck.
Use bug spray on exposed skin and stay away from brush and tall grass. Long pants and shirt are best. In warm weather, it is still advisable to wear loose, long, light colored clothing.
Deer ticks are active when the temperature is above 45° F
Got an attached tick? Use fine-tipped tweezers to firmly grasp the tick very close to your skin. With a steady motion, pull the tick’s body away from your skin. Then clean your skin with soap and warm water. Don’t use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish, or other products to remove a tick... these are old folk remedies that risk further infection.
If you discover a tick on you, it is advisable to be alert in case any symptoms do appear; a red rash that looks like a bulls-eye, flu-like symptoms, or joint pains in the first month following any deer tick bite could signal the onset of LD.
To view further Lyme symptoms, please visit http://www.tiredoflyme.com/physical-symptoms.html#.UDuFu8FlSew (under “articles”, you can also click on “physiological” or “sociological” symptoms as well)
Use bug spray on exposed skin and stay away from brush and tall grass. Long pants and shirt are best. In warm weather, it is still advisable to wear loose, long, light colored clothing.
Deer ticks are active when the temperature is above 45° F
Got an attached tick? Use fine-tipped tweezers to firmly grasp the tick very close to your skin. With a steady motion, pull the tick’s body away from your skin. Then clean your skin with soap and warm water. Don’t use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish, or other products to remove a tick... these are old folk remedies that risk further infection.
If you discover a tick on you, it is advisable to be alert in case any symptoms do appear; a red rash that looks like a bulls-eye, flu-like symptoms, or joint pains in the first month following any deer tick bite could signal the onset of LD.
To view further Lyme symptoms, please visit http://www.tiredoflyme.com/physical-symptoms.html#.UDuFu8FlSew (under “articles”, you can also click on “physiological” or “sociological” symptoms as well)
West Nile Virus prevention:
Use bug spray, wear long pants/shirt as above.
(Tip: Spray your hat instead of directly on your face. Keeps the mosquitoes at bay without risking getting chemicals in your eyes/nose/mouth.)
West Nile Symptoms - 80% of cases don't have any, while some experience symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. [1]
(Tip: Spray your hat instead of directly on your face. Keeps the mosquitoes at bay without risking getting chemicals in your eyes/nose/mouth.)
West Nile Symptoms - 80% of cases don't have any, while some experience symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. [1]
