Tips to Prevent Tick Bites When Hiking

There are a number of harmful pests in the woods that can make your hike a little less enjoyable. Ticks in particular are a frustrating annoyance for hikers in some area. Ticks rarely cause severe illnesses, but the diseases they spread can occasionally be devastating to a hiker's health. For example, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Ehrlichiosis are some of the more serious infections you can get from a tick bite. Fortunately, by following a handful of tips you can go a long way toward preventing tick bites and removing ticks.

First, educate yourself about the types of ticks in the area you're hiking in. Refer to the experiences of previous hikers in the area and educate yourself about the dangers you may face and how you can avoid them.

When hiking, it is wise to use insect repellent, which will help keep ticks and other harmful insects away from you. Insect repellent is inexpensive and widely available. Active ingredients that keep pests at bay include picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), and Deet.

While on your hike, it may also be helpful to have an insecticide at hand. A popular insecticide for hiking is Permethrin, which kills mosquitoes, black flies, and ticks without harming humans or dogs. You can also wash and cover your clothing and gear with Permethrin.

When you avoid brushy areas, thick grass, and densely wooded areas, your chances of encountering ticks are reduced. Also try to avoid sitting or camping in areas that may be tick-infested.

Another good idea is to wear light-colored clothing and thick, tucked clothes so you can spot ticks before they access your skin. It is also wise to wear long pants while hiking, as ticks will have trouble getting to your legs if you're wearing long pants tucked into your socks. Ticks may also find their way into your clothes through the waistline area. To prevent this, tuck your shirt into your pants.

When you get to your camp or home, you should check your body, gear, and pets thoroughly to remove attached ticks. Before washing your clothes, put them in a hot dryer for 10 minutes to get rid of any unseen ticks. Ticks can survive a journey through a washer but will not survive in a hot dryer. Tick-borne infections can also be minimized by taking a shower as soon as you return home.

If you discover a tick bite on your body, it is important to remove the tick correctly. Use a pair of tweezers and grip the tick as near to the skin as possible. Maintain a constant, even pressure as you remove it. Make sure you don't jolt the tick or twist it in any way, as you don’t want to let the head remain in your body. After removing the tick, use rubbing alcohol or soap and water to thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands. Also make sure to kill the tick and dispose of it properly.

You should not use your fingers to smash a tick that has bitten you, as this may worsen the infection. You also should not use nail polish or petroleum jelly to "paint" the tick or heat to loosen it from your skin. You should also not wait for the tick to detach itself. Instead, remove it as soon as you see it. It is also imperative that you get immediate medical attention if you see any signs of an allergic reaction after removing the tick.