Ticks...Be on the Look Out!

[KristenDavid208]

If you are camping in a warm area (especially on the east coast), please check yourself everyday for ticks! I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease last week and am suffering horribly. Thankfully, I removed the tick early (on our camping trip to northern GA) and started antibiotics right away. So my prognosis is favorable.

Deer ticks are the size of a piece of pepper. They can transmit Lyme and a host of nastiness within 24 hours of embedding. They are in masses this year due to the heat and lack of rain.

If you plan on hiking, playing in the grass or just hanging outside your camper, please take precautions: use 40% deet products, shower after activities, change clothes and body check often (this is what saved me).

If you get flu-like symptoms with a fever and/or a bull's eye rash, see your doctor immediately. For more information you can visit the CDC or Mayo Clinic websites.

I don't mean to sound dramatic. But I would not wish this pain on anyone!

[Len & Cheri]

Dang, the wife and I both had a tick on us about 2 weeks ago after hiking through the woods here in S. Ga. No symptoms or anything, so I guess we're ok. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

[Wemhoff_Family]

They have been really bad this year here in Nebraska its so hard to keep the kids on the look out found my self checking them constantly!

[cstover]

I pulled two off my sons back and one off his unmentionables. Luckily I haven't had any. Sorry to hear about the lyme disease. I hope you are doing well.

[Jeep4Two]

On our trip to Patoka Lake Indiana, between my wife and I we found over 30 ticks between two hikes. I had a total of three get embedded and removed, she had 4. This was 4 weeks ago I think and things are drier now.

you have to be on constant lookout for ticks no doubt.

Best thing to do, repellent, long pants, showers and good checks head to toe after being in the woods.

[troyt]

Originally Posted by Jeep4Two

you have to be on constant lookout for ticks no doubt.

Best thing to do, repellent, long pants, showers and good checks head to toe after being in the woods.

Agree, They're bad in Missouri this year too.

[Taranwanderer]

I hear ya, brother. I had Lyme way back in 2002...as best as I can figure, I had a tick exposure in late October but didn't start having any symptoms until late November. For me, it was a low-grade fever and MAJOR night sweats--as in, gotta get up and change the sheets because they're soaked night sweats. Lyme has 3 stages, and if you catch it in Stage One, its 3 weeks of antibiotics, and you should be good to go. But if it gets into the later stages, it can cause permanent damage to various body systems. So don't ignore any of these symptoms if there's any possibility you've had a tick bite. Good luck with your recovery-- I remember that my Christmas present that year was the last dose of the ABX on Christmas morning!

[Wildwood Danny]

Sorry about the illness, ticks come to me like a magnet. I have not try the follow method for tick removal, but will the next time I find one attached. Try covering the tick with liquid soap and then place a cotton ball on the tick for about 20 seconds and when you lift the cotton ball the tick is suppose to be on the ball, so saids a nurse.

[roanmountaincampers]

Found one on me a few weeks back and came down with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Caught it early and now on the antibiotic. Use deet and check often.

[backpacker3]

Sorry to hear about your illness, hope all will be fine.

[roanmountaincampers]

Doing fine now. Important to catch it early and start the antibiotics.

[MilCop4523]

MAINE has had over 1000 cases reported this year as compared to mid 700 cases last year. HUGE problem!!

[KarenS144]

Ticks are horrible here in southern Indiana. I remember when we seldom saw ticks and could walk through our woods anytime of the year but for the past several years, we avoid the woods except in the winter. Even then, I can't begin to count the ticks bites my DH & I have had this year. Ours seem to do a taste test before finding just the right spot to cause the most discomfort as we have several bites near 1 tick.

[SALTY]

You do not only have to worry about lyme disease and rocky mtn spotted fever but also meat allergies they found out are caused by tick bites also
in the service we poured insect repellant on them and they backed out right away !

[amxpress]

We feel like a couple of chimpanzees grooming each other looking for ticks.

[MilCop4523]

hard to look erotic or romantic when the DW says come on over here hunny and let me check you over with a magnifying glass - for ticks. spread your toes and such.