Photo: Public domain   White tailed deer; ticks and lyme disease
may not be far away

 As with any risk, prevention is the goal. Realistically, in New Jersey, total avoidance of ticks and lyme disease may not be an option. The deer population is estimated to be over 200,000 which comes means about one deer for every 43 people.

"When all the dangerous cliffs are fenced

off, all the trees that might fall on people

are cut down, all of the insects that bite

have been poisoned ... and all of the

grizzlies are dead because they are

occasionally dangerous, the wilderness

will not be made safe. Rather, the safety

will have destroyed the wilderness.

" - R. Yorke Edwards (Canadian environmentalist)

   Photo : CDC   Common "bullseye rash" seen in Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is transmitted by the black legged tick , commonly called the deer tick.  This parasite can also transmit other tick borne bacterial disease.  All are easily treated with antibiotics in the early stages.

Prevention:

• Wear light colored clothing, long sleeves and pants tucked into boots. Ticks will be easier to find before they attach, when they pose no threat.
• Deet can be applied directly to the skin. Lasts 3-4 hours.
• Permethrin based products can be applied to clothing and boots and protection lasts several days. This can be a dangerous chemical and application guidelines must be followed explicitly.

  At least once a day check all parts of the body for ticks.  Be especially careful checking:

• underarm area
• in and around the ears
• inside belly button
• behind the knees
• in and around the hair
• between the legs
• around the waist

                        Photo: CDC  Relative size of common ticks

In Lyme disease, infection rarely occurs before the tick has been attached 36 hours.  If an attached tick is found, prompt removal is important.

Removal of ticks:

1. Wash hands. Take a clean pair of fine tipped tweezers, grasp the body.

2. Pull straight up. No twisting. If part of the tick remains, remove with tweezers. Save for identification, if you choose. Wash hands.

3. Do not squash, crush or puncture the tick body, as disease can be present in the fluids.

4. Cleanse area with iodine, alcohol or just plain soap and water.

If symptoms are present or you want assurances, seek the care of a medical professional. Since the disease is bacterial, antibiotics may be prescribed even without a confirmation of disease. Please do seek medical advice if any of the following are present:

Symptoms:

• fever
• headache
• fatigue
• skin rash

  Symptoms may appear within hours or take days. In some cases symptoms may not ever appear, or appear so long after the bite that it does not seem to be relevant or is simply forgotten when you go to the doctor. Be sure the professional knows you suffered a tick bite, let them decide if it is relevant.

For more information on backpacking safety:

Backpacking safety in bear country

Portable water purification for the backpacker