High-Risk Time for Lyme

Three hundred thousand cases of Lyme disease were reported last year, and the chance of encountering these pests seems to be increasing. Spring is the time of year when ticks become very active and we live in a high-risk area for the disease.

Here are some simple precautions you should take to protect yourself against the debilitating disease:

• Avoid heavily wooded areas and tall grass

• Use a bug repellant that includes DEET.

• Wear light-colored clothing and, whenever possible, long pants which you can tuck them into your socks.

•Always check yourself, children, and pets after being outdoors.

If you think you have been bitten:

• Remove the tick immediately by pulling slowly straight out. 

•Transmission of Lyme disease from an infected tick is less likely to occur if the

tick is properly removed. 

• Don’t squeeze, use alcohol or other substance that will aggravate the tick and regurgitate more venom back into you.

• Once removed, use an antiseptic. Save the tick and contact your doctor immediately.  

• Chris Cohan