Time in nature brings so many benefits for our children’s mental and physical well-being. Carefree summer days spent outdoors are a joy that all children should be able to experience without fear of falling ill.
There are some simple precautions that you can take to reduce the risk of your children being bitten by ticks which can carry infections like Lyme disease. You can also take steps to reduce the risk of infection or illness if you do find a tick on your child.
Avoiding tick bites
The best protection from Lyme infection is to avoid being bitten by carriers in the first place. Deer ticks are the main culprits, but horseflies and some mosquitoes may also carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
Steer clear of long grasses. Long grass is a tick’s preferred habitat as they lie in wait for a host.
If your children do play in or near long grass, or if you spend time in a high-risk area for ticks, wearing closed shoes, socks and light-coloured, long trousers - ideally tucked into socks - will reduce the risk of bites.
It is easier to spot ticks on light-coloured clothes. Deer ticks are tiny when they are not full of blood - sometimes as small as a poppy seed, so they can be very hard to detect.
Use natural bug repellants liberally on the skin. Look for products containing neem and essential oils like citronella, peppermint, lemongrass and lavender.
Supplement your diet with Vitamin B1 (thiamin). Ticks are repelled by the smell of it on the skin. We recommend Viridian's High One B Complex.
Consuming citrus fruits, garlic and onions also helps to ward off ticks, so include plenty of these in your diet in the summer months. Raw garlic is even better if you don’t find it too strong!
When you return home, do a thorough tick check of everyone, including pets. Tick bites are not always painful and can go unnoticed for days. Ticks like to settle in darker spots (armpits, groin, back of the neck), so you may need to hunt around for them.
If you do notice a tick, removing it within 24 hours significantly reduces the chance of the tick passing on any infections it may be carrying.
To remove a tick safely
Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool. You can buy these from veterinary surgeries, pharmacies, online and in pet shops.
Grasp the tick gently as close to the skin as possible.
Very slowly, pull upwards, taking care not to squeeze or crush the tick.
Do not dispose of it if you want to send it off for testing (see below). Put it in a sealed plastic container or bag.
Clean the site of the bite well with antiseptic or soap and water.
What to do if a tick bites you or your child
Tick testing
There is a veterinary laboratory in the UK called Biobest, which tests ticks for Lyme. Follow the instructions on their website if you want to send off a tick that you have removed for testing. Tests cost about £60, and you can get results within 48 hrs.
Lyme symptoms to look out for
Symptoms of Lyme infection can appear within a few days or weeks of being bitten. These are the hallmark signs to be on the alert for:
A 'bullseye' rash (a red ring) at the site of the bite. Note that this rash will not always show, so do not rely on this alone to determine whether you are infected or not.
Flu-like symptoms: high temperature, feeling hot and shivery
Headache
Muscle and joint pain
Tiredness and lethargy
If not treated quickly, more severe and chronic symptoms may develop, including:
Pain and swelling in joints
Nerve problems such as pain or numbness
Heart problems
Impaired memory or concentration
Seek medical help immediately if symptoms develop
If you develop any symptoms associated with Lyme, seek advice from your GP immediately and request antibiotics, even if a tick test comes back negative. Treating Lyme in its early stages greatly reduces the risk of development of chronic illness.
Stay safe and keep things in perspective
Lyme infection from tick bites is still relatively rare, so don’t be scared to let your children enjoy time outdoors this summer. Following some simple precautions and taking swift action if they do pick up a tick keeps the risk of Lyme infection and serious illness to a minimum.
Always consult a qualified practitioner before introducing new supplements. You can book a free 15-minute Discovery Call with a Brainstorm Health practitioner here.
Please note that we do not diagnose or treat illnesses at Brainstorm Health, but we can help you advocate for the right medical diagnosis from qualified doctors if necessary.
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