Ticks and the possibility of Lyme Disease are an unfortunate consequence of camping and participating in outdoor activities. Many of the locations in which the Troop camps and holds activities are prone to the presence of ticks. There is no way to avoid this situation. However, taking the appropriate precautions and having an awareness of ticks and the appropriate procedures will significantly reduce the risks associated with participating in outdoor activities.
It is believe that an infected tick must be attached to your body for thirty hours to transmit Lyme Disease. For this reason every camper needs to perform a thorough tick check daily during camping activities as well as upon return from a camping trip. Uncut, grassy meadows are particularly prone to tick infestation, but they are also prevelant in wooded areas.
If you locate a tick you must remove it as soon as you locate it. Grasp the tick with blunt tweezers as close to the skin as possible and gently, but firmly, pull the tick straight out. Clean the area with soap and water and an antiseptic. Do not use petroleum jelly or a hot match to remove the tick. It is important to check that you have removed the entire tick and have not seperated the head from the body when removing the tick.
If you locate and remove a tick, it is critical to montior for the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease and seek medical attention immediately upon the onset of any signs or symptions. If you believe that you have had a black-legged tick attached to your for more than thirty hours, you should consult a doctor attention immediately, do not wait for the onset of symptoms.
In most people, the first evidence of Lyme disease infection occurs within 3 to 32 days (usually within 1 to 2 weeks) after being bitten by an infected tick and consists of a "bulls eye" skin rash at the site of the tick bite or developing such flu-like symptoms as fatigue, fever, headache, stiff neck, muscle or joint pain. The "bulls eye" rash, called erythema migrans (EM), is red and slowly gets bigger, usually with a clearing in the center; it is not painful and does not itch. Up to about 70% of people infected with Lyme disease will notice this type of rash.
Both the rash and flu-like symptoms may last up to several weeks and will go away with or without treatment. If the early infection is not treated, though, weeks to months after the tick bite other problems may develop such as nervous disorders, heart problems, or joint swelling and pain.
The following are some tips to avoid ticks.
This page last updated on Saturday May 23, 2009.