Ticks

[Misha888]

Originally Posted by Oregonrain

What is duck itch?

Swimmer's itch is an allergic reaction to microscopic parasites that burrow into your skin. The parasites associated with swimmer's itch normally live in waterfowl and some animals that live near the water. Humans aren't suitable hosts, so the parasites soon die while still in your skin.

Although uncomfortable, swimmer's itch is usually short-lived. The rash typically clears up on its own within a few days. In the meantime, you can control itching with over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Compliments of the ducks and geese.

[Oregonrain]

Originally Posted by Misha888

Swimmer's itch is an allergic reaction to microscopic parasites that burrow into your skin. The parasites associated with swimmer's itch normally live in waterfowl and some animals that live near the water. Humans aren't suitable hosts, so the parasites soon die while still in your skin.

Although uncomfortable, swimmer's itch is usually short-lived. The rash typically clears up on its own within a few days. In the meantime, you can control itching with over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Compliments of the ducks and geese.

Thank you.

[Dave R]

We used to have dogs and they used to get ticks all the time on our heavily wooded lot. I cleared all the underbrush from the woody areas that the dogs frequent and started keeping the the ground cover well-trimmed with a string trimmer pass twice a year. The tick problem disappeared immediately and the woods look really nice now. It's a lot of work at first, but not too hard to maintain.

I do a lot of hiking and have found that I can remain tick-free pretty easily by staying on the trail and not brushing up against vegetation along the trail edge.

[Rich]

How to keep the ticks off of you?

One method is to treat your clothes.

Hunters use "Permethrin" on their clothing and I'm told it works well (just keep it away from your feline friends, it can be toxic to them), it can be found at Wal-Mart and other outdoor type of shops under various brand names.

[Fargo]

I just noticed a black spec on our neighbor's white dog. It was a tiny tick, so small four would fit on the head of a pin. That's the second one this week I've been able to see. Had to use a magnifying glass to confirm it was a tick. Good thing the dog is white. Just an FYI these things are small and tough to see.

[SAMIAM]

Originally Posted by Dave R

We used to have dogs and they used to get ticks all the time on our heavily wooded lot. I cleared all the underbrush from the woody areas that the dogs frequent and started keeping the the ground cover well-trimmed with a string trimmer pass twice a year. The tick problem disappeared immediately and the woods look really nice now. It's a lot of work at first, but not too hard to maintain.

I do a lot of hiking and have found that I can remain tick-free pretty easily by staying on the trail and not brushing up against vegetation along the trail edge.

That is excellent advice. I did the same thing and we have not had a single tick on us or our pets this year even though I am working in my yard, the woods and wood pile. We cleared the underbrush right down to the pine needle cover, trimmed small lower branches and just left the larger trees....like they do in parks.
At my business, however, we are surrounded by woods that aren't cleared as well as long grass around the perimeter. The other day, after working outside, I found more than a dozen ticks all over me......even a day or two later I found a couple.

[Misha888]

but then I took one off our cat. Then another off the spare bed. It must have jumped on me when clearing her off.

Revolution! You keep them from embedding, but not from jumping on board.

Check yourself, and check yourself often. I've seen Lyme do terrible things. Be well.

[Oregonrain]

http://www.prevention.com/health/hea...mentsonhorizon

Here's an article about Lyme disease and a new treatment.

[Barbara]

Originally Posted by Oregonrain

http://www.prevention.com/health/hea...mentsonhorizon

Here's an article about Lyme disease and a new treatment.

NH also has a law protecting doctors who are treating chronic lyme patients with long term antibiotic treatment.

A family member has been in treatment for chronic lyme for five years. The doctor believes she was infected years before her diagnosis. Deer ticks, the tiny ones, are the ones that carry the disease. Lyme is not the only problem, there are other diseases passed on by ticks that are also very difficult to treat. Unfortunately, my family member us dealing with two of these in addition to lyme, babesiosis and bartonella.