Don't let Lyme disease tick you off
Public health is everywhere, even lurking in the bushes.
Use bug repellant that contains at least 20 percent DEET—ticks hate the stuff.
Cover up when romping around outdoors. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, closed-toed shoes, and high socks (tuck your pants into your socks if you value your health more than style).
Thoroughly examine your body, your clothes, your gear, and your pets —Fido can get Lyme disease, too—for ticks. Take a shower and tumble dry your clothes on high heat to kill ticks you may have missed.
If you find ticks, remove them ASAP with a pair of tweezers. Be careful not to break the body, leaving part of the head inside you; here is a good step-by-step guide on how to do it effectively.
By the way, the first two of the above—strong bug repellant and covering up—will also go a long way toward protecting you from a disease that made its North American debut just a decade ago, this one spread by mosquitoes: West Nile virus.
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