The hot summer weather usually lures people out of their homes for swimming and other outdoor activities. Unfortunately, fun in the sun is not the only result of hotter temperatures and increased humidity. Ticks that carry Lyme disease come out of the woodwork and feast on people trying to enjoy the outdoors. As a healthcare professional, you must warn your patients about Lyme disease and explain how they can protect themselves. When patients have the right information, staying healthy is easier for everyone.
Some patients believe that living in urban areas eliminates their risk of contracting Lyme disease. You must correct this perception, as the ticks that carry the disease live in patchy woods as well as dense forests. These areas are found in rural, suburban, and urban locales, so anyone who spends time in parks or other wooded areas is at risk for being bitten by a tick carrying Lyme disease. Outdoor enthusiasts can reduce this risk by walking in the middle of paths and sidewalks instead of near trees and shrubs. When healthcare professionals take the time to explain how Lyme disease is spread, patients are more aware of the potential risks.
When it comes to Lyme disease, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure. If your patients express concern about spending time outdoors, explain how they can reduce their risk of being bitten by disease-carrying ticks. Recommend that they use insect repellants containing at least 20 percent DEET. These products are safe for direct application to the skin, and they provide several hours of protection. You should also recommend that patients check their skin and clothing after spending time outdoors. Ticks can attach to the skin on the backs of the knees, between the legs, under the arms, and around the waist. Advise clients to check their heads and body hair before going inside.
Recent reports suggest that Lyme disease is not the only concern for people who spend time outdoors. On July 2, Long Island News 12 released a report about the existence of a disease very similar to Lyme disease. The disease, caused by Borrelia miyamotoi, causes recurring fevers and may require long-term treatment. If your patients are concerned about contracting this illness, the same rules of prevention apply. Using insect repellant, checking the body for ticks, and wearing long pants and long sleeves when spending time outdoors can reduce the risk of being bitten by an infected tick.
If you want to increase awareness of Lyme disease and convince patients to protect themselves, you must be able to provide accurate information about the disease and successful prevention tactics. When your patients need information about staying healthy, they will turn to you for advice. You can help people avoid Lyme disease by advising them to use common prevention techniques and check their bodies for ticks after walking outdoors or coming into contact with pets who have been outdoors.
(Photo courtesy of stockimages / freedigitalphotos.net)
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