TEOTWAWKI Tick Bite Prevention

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on knowledge and understanding you might wish to acquire in advance of a disaster in case no higher care is available.  As long as our society is functioning, you should leave anything more substantial than applying a Band-Aid to the professionals.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care. 

Unlike lice and bed bugs, which are insects, ticks are in the same family as spiders and another parasite, scabies.  Fortunately for us all, ticks do not reproduce as prolifically as lice and bed bugs and scabies, and they're generally a lot easier to find--if you go looking for them.  Ticks don't jump like fleas do, and they don't drop down from trees like spiders.  Ticks in the larval stages prefer hanging out in leaf litter, just waiting for you to brush by so they can hitch a ride and see the world.  Once on you, they crawl wherever their heart leads them--and their favorite hang-outs are behind the knees, between the legs, in the belly button and around the waist, in your hair, behind the ears, and under the arms.  Adult ticks are more commonly found on game trails, and all stages like chilling in a shady wood pile.

Prevention

When it comes to ticks (and just about everything in life) prevention is far better than the cure.  Prevent ticks from getting to your body by wearing long pants, and for the best protection, tucking pant legs into thick socks and wearing high top boots as well.

Stinking it up a bit (from the tick's point of view) will make you even more unappealing.  DEET and picaridin work well.  Permethrin, which you should already have stocked in case of lice, bed bugs, or scabies, is quite effective in treating clothing.  It's a really good idea to treat your clothing if you live in a tick-infested area.  Permethrin treats not only clothes, but also footwear and camping gear--and it remains effective through several washings.

For those who would rather avoid synthetic products, here's a recipe for a natural tick repellent using essential oils:

Essential Oil Tick Repellent

• 9 drops citronella essential oil
• 6 drops tea tree oil
• 6 drops peppermint oil
• 1 tablespoon carrier oil

Combine and apply to exposed skin before going outdoors.  Reapply often.

According to Dr. Joseph Alton, author of The Survival Medicine Handbook, soybean oil is also an effective tick repellent, but it's obviously only for the skin.

While being aware of places you're most likely to encounter ticks and prevent them from getting on you is essential, don't forget to check pets frequently.  It's no problem for a dog or cat to pick up hitchhikers outside and then drop them off in the house.

Studies show that taking a shower within two hours of getting home from an outdoor excursion substantially reduces the incidence of tick bites.  All clothing should be immediately washed in hot water (cold or warm water will not kill ticks) if possible, or at the very least placed in a dryer with a hot temperature setting for ten or more minutes. 

Removing ticks
Even with the most diligent efforts (and definitely without them), ticks will sometimes find their way to a meal on you.  Fortunately, most diseases are not transmitted until 24 hours after the tick attaches.  That's why early detection and removal are critical.  Don't make an appointment with a doctor or go to the ER.  This is totally something you can do yourself.  Simply get yourself a pair of tweezers.  Grab the tick with the tweezers and pull straight up, not at an angle.  This is your best bet for removing the whole tick.  Pulling at an angle increases the chances of the mouth parts breaking off.  However, if that happens, it's ok.  The important thing is that disease transmission has been halted.  But with the tick parts still in your skin, there will probably be a bit of a reaction, some inflammation and irritation.  Disinfect the area with Betadine and/or triple antibiotic.

Symptoms of illness
If disease happens to have been transmitted, it can take up to thirty days for symptoms to appear.  Whenever you see a health care provider, be sure to inform him/her if you have recently been bitten by a tick.  The most common symptoms, especially for Lyme disease, include a rash and influenza-like complaints, especially fever and a general achy feeling.

The geography of ticks
The Centers for Disease Control has generated several geographic distribution maps for the most common species of ticks in the United States.  Check them out to see which ticks are most common in your location and for any further specific actions you can take to protect yourself and your family.

Links to related posts:
Bed bugs  
Lice 
Scabies 

For further reading:
https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/diseases/
https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html
https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/avoid/on_people.html
https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/symptoms.html
https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/geographic_distribution.html

 14 june 2021

 4 june 2019