How To Avoid Ticks when Hiking

Ticks can transmit deadly diseases, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, so it is important to avoid ticks when hiking. Those who are hiking in heavily wooded areas need to take special precautions to avoid ticks. There are times though when even though the proper precautions are taken, a person may still get a tick. There are several things that people can do to avoid ticks when hiking.

• One of the most effective ways to avoid ticks when hiking is to wear the proper clothing. Those who are trying to avoid ticks should not have any skin exposed, except for their face. People should wear high, thick socks and tuck their pants into their socks. They should also wear boots that are not loose around the ankles so that ticks cannot get into the boots. A turtleneck sweater that fits tightly and is tucked into the pants is also necessary. It is also recommended that hikers wear a tight fitting jacket and a hat that completely covers their hair and ears. Loose fitting clothing will not help hikers avoid ticks when hiking. Clothing shouldn't be uncomfortably tight, but it should hug the skin.
• Tick repellent can also be used when trying to avoid ticks while hiking. Those using tick repellent should spray it onto their skin before dressing. They should also spray it onto their clothing after getting dressed. Since the face will not be covered with clothing, hikers should make sure that they apply some tick repellent to their faces, being careful to avoid their eyes. It is also recommended that hikers should apply some tick repellent to their hair to help avoid ticks when hiking. Tick repellents are not typically able to be used by children.
• Staying on a designated hiking trail can help hikers to avoid ticks when hiking. Ticks tend to be in bushes and in pine trees so avoiding these areas can help to avoid ticks when hiking. Designated hiking trails tend to have clear paths where hikers are not coming into direct contact with brush, bushes, tall grass and trees.

Regardless of the precautions taken to avoid ticks when hiking, a person may still get a tick. When a person is done hiking they need to take the time to thoroughly inspect their bodies for ticks. Ticks tend to like areas of the body such as the armpits, groin area, stomach, back and the scalp. These areas are warm and it can be difficult to find ticks that may have nestled there. Hikers should have a friend check their hair and back to see if any ticks are present. Ticks can be difficult to remove so if a tick is present it is in the best interest of the hiker to consult their physician. The physician can also run some tests to make sure that the hiker did not contract any tick-related illnesses.