Newswise — Americans are increasingly developing tick-borne
illnesses—most commonly Lyme disease— due to ever-changing ecosystems
and continued residential development in the countryside. And because
May through July is when most tick-borne infections occur, experts are
reminding consumers now to use measures that can help prevent Lyme and
other diseases from ticks. “People are moving into wooded rural
areas, which are prime tick habitats around the country,” says Marc
Dolan, entomologist with the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. He says there are a number of tick-borne diseases in
America and ticks can transmit multiple infections. Dolan says
Lyme, which is transmitted by the bite of a deer tick, is increasing
also because the whitetail deer population, which is a host for the
bacteria that cause Lyme disease, is growing and spreading
geographically. The CDC reports a dramatic increase in Lyme over
the past decade, from 11,700 cases in 1995 to 21,304 last year. While
reporting has improved, the CDC says Lyme still is “greatly
underreported.” Most prevalent in the Northeast and upper Midwest, Lyme
is found nationwide. “Tick-borne diseases can be found all across
the country, and Lyme has been reported in every state except Montana,”
says Pat Smith, president of the Lyme Disease Association. Two of her
daughters developed Lyme and one became so ill she could not attend
school for four years. While Lyme disease can be devastating if
not treated early, another tick-borne disease, Rocky Mountain spotted
fever, can be fatal. RMSF is most common in the South, despite its
name, with the highest incidence in North Carolina and Tennessee. U.S.
cases increased dramatically to 1,843 last year from 695 in 2001. Simple, Effective Preventative Measures Experts suggest some simple but effective measures to help protect against tick-bites. “When
you’re in the woods, or even in your backyard, from early May to early
July, when the nymphal (young) ticks that carry Lyme disease are most
active, you should use a repellent such as DEET on exposed skin and
clothing,” Dolan says. “Young ticks are very small and difficult to
spot, which is another reason why Lyme disease is such a problem.” To
repel ticks, the CDC recommends using DEET products with a
concentration of 20 percent to 30 percent. Repellent makers say that,
based on extensive testing, 15 percent DEET can repel ticks. Dolan
suggests applying a permethrin-based product on clothing (permethrin
should never be applied to skin). It is helpful to wear light-colored
clothing to more easily spot ticks and wear long pants with the cuffs
tucked under the socks. Dolan strongly recommends performing a
thorough tick check after coming indoors from a tick-infested area.
That’s because if a tick is attached to the skin for less than 24
hours, the possibility of infection is extremely low. Tick checks
involve closely examining clothing and skin for ticks, with special
attention to the ears, in and around the hair, under the arms, behind
the knees, around the waist and between the legs. When an
attached tick is found, it’s critical to detach it properly using
tweezers because incorrect removal can make infection more likely.
Visit www.cdc.gov/ncidod/ticktips2005/ for removal instructions. DEET-Based Repellents are the Gold Standard “DEET
has been the gold standard for effectiveness against mosquitoes, ticks
and many other insects for nearly 50 years,” says Susan Little,
executive director of the DEET Education Program. No repellents in the
world have been used more often or studied more thoroughly than
DEET-based products, Little says. She urges consumers to read and
follow label instructions carefully. “When applied with common
sense, DEET-based repellents can be expected to provide a safe as well
as long-lasting repellent effect,” according to a study published in
the New England Journal of Medicine in 2002. The American Academy of
Pediatrics says repellents containing up to 30 percent DEET can be used
on children over two months of age to help protect against insect and
tick bites. Consumers Can Get More Information Operating under
the auspices of the Consumer Specialty Products Association, which is
headquartered in Washington, D.C., the DEET Education Program provides
educational brochures in English and Spanish, cost free in large and
small quantities. For brochures or further information, call toll-free
888-No-Bites (888-662-4837) or visit http://www.deetonline.org.
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