MCMS Physician Summer 2017 - 11

mon t m e d s o c .c om

Preventing Tick Bites
While it is a good idea to take preventive measures against ticks year-round, be extra
vigilant in warmer months (April-September) when ticks are most active.
Avoid Direct Contact with Ticks

o If the clothes are damp, additional time may be
needed.

* Avoid wooded and brushy areas with
high grass and leaf litter.
* Walk in the center of trails.

Repel Ticks on Skin and Clothing
* Use repellent that contains 20 percent or more
DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin for
protection that lasts several hours.
o Always follow product instructions. Parents should
apply this product to their children, avoiding hands,
eyes, and mouth.

o If the clothes require washing first, hot water is
recommended. Cold and medium temperature water
will not kill ticks effectively. If the clothes cannot be
washed in hot water, tumble dry on low heat for 90
minutes or high heat for 60 minutes. The clothes should be
warm and completely dry.
Reprinted with permission from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, www.cdc.gov.

* Use products that contain permethrin on clothing. Treat
clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents,
with products containing 0.5% permethrin. It remains
protective through several washings. Pre-treated clothing
is available and may be protective longer.
* The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has an
online tool to help you select the repellent that is best for
you and your family.

Find and Remove Ticks from Your Body
* Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors
(preferably within 2 hours) to wash off and more easily
find ticks that are crawling on you.
* Conduct a full-body tick check using a hand-held or
full-length mirror to view all parts of your body upon
return from tick-infested areas. Parents should check
their children for ticks under the arms, in and around
the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees,
between the legs, around the waist, and especially in
their hair.
* Examine gear and pets. Ticks can ride into the home on
clothing and pets, then attach to a person later, so
carefully examine pets, coats, and day packs.
* Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10
minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come
indoors.

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of MCMS Physician Summer 2017
