2021 May Be Big Year for Lyme Disease
Lyme disease forecasters are saying 2021 could be one for the record books. According to Pest.org which publishes a yearly forecast on tick populations, “Most states will experience the warmer, wetter conditions that drive tick populations – and the prospect of tick-borne diseases – skyward.”
Tick exposure can occur year-round, but ticks are most active during warmer months (April - October). When it comes to tick exposure, it's important to know what to expect before you go outdoors and what to do once you come indoors.
Before going outdoors, know where ticks live. They live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or even on animals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many people get ticks in their own yard.
Before heading inside, carefully examine pets, your coat and clothes, and backpacks since ticks can ride into the home on clothing and pets, then attach later. As a precaution, spray permethrin insect repellent on clothing, and around the wrists and ankles when planning activities in wooded areas.
Check your body for ticks after being outdoors. Conduct a full body check upon return from potentially tick-infested areas, including your own backyard. Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body, including under the arms, in and around the ears and hair, inside the belly button, back of the knees, around the waist, and groin area.
Get Lyme disease care at Saint Joseph Health System.