Summer is the height of tick season, and residents are reminded to take precautions to avoid exposure to deer ticks, the carriers of Lyme disease, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129).
Those who spend a lot of time outdoors in grassy or wooded areas are advised to:
- Wear long pants, long sleeves and socks while hiking, mowing the lawn or spending time in the woods or other tick habitat.
- Spray tick repellant on shoes and clothing.
- Check for ticks on the body after outdoor exposure.
Lyme disease often first appears as an inflamed red ring around the site of a tick bite, and if untreated can cause serious inflammation and pain that can greatly impact quality of life.