Avoid Lyme disease this Tick Bite Prevention Week with Ski & Trek

This week is Tick Bite Prevention Week, so we asked UK outdoor wear specialists Ski & Trek for their top tips on avoiding nasty tick bites, which can lead to Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is an infectious disease that, if left untreated, can cause arthritis. Infection occurs in humans when a particular strand of bacteria gets into the bloodstream.

Small blood-sucking parasites called ticks are the most common cause of infection as they draw blood from many different animals, including humans and cross contamination often occurs.

Martin Rouse from Ski & Trek gave us his top tips for avoiding potentially unpleasant tick bites:

“Be aware of tick habitat - ticks are common in the UK and can typically be found in undergrowth and on low hanging branches. They wait for passing animals in areas with heavy ground cover with diverse wildlife. It can be helpful to carry a walking pole so where dense vegetation is unavoidable; you can tap the vegetation to knock down any awaiting ticks.

“Reduce exposed skin - wear long sleeves and long walking trousers to make it harder for a tick to reach your skin. Light coloured clothing can also make it easier to see dark ticks if they are on your clothing. Tucking trousers into socks can stop ticks climbing inside your clothing. Better still wear gaiters to eliminate this gap.

“Don’t take ticks home - check clothing your clothing after a walk and make sure that your pets are not carrying any ticks when you let them back into your house. Your vet might be able to provide treatment if you know your pet will often be visiting areas infested with ticks.

“Watch your fellow walkers - look out for ticks on your companion walkers. Ticks can attach themselves to areas that are hard to see, look out for ticks on your fellow walkers’ backs and behind ears. Take extra special care of children, as they are more likely to play in undergrowth where ticks are present.

“If you do find a tick attached to your skin, fast removal reduces the chances of infection. Be sure to remove the whole of the tick using a specialist tick-removal tool or fine nosed pliers and clean the area with antiseptic. A bite does not guarantee infection, but the best defence is prevention.”

In 2008, the Health Protection Agency estimated that as many as 3,000 people in the UK each year contract Lyme disease from tick bites. Not just during Tick Bite Prevention Week but each time you are out walking, be sure to wear appropriate outdoor clothing and avoid tick habitats to keep safe from Lyme disease infection.

Ski & Trek provides outdoor clothing from leading manufacturers Helly Hansen, Regatta and Craghoppers. For more information about the full range of long sleeved tops, walking trousers, gaiters and walking accessories available visit the company’s website: http://www.ski-trek.co.uk

Contact Information

Martin Rouse

Managing Director

Ski & Trek

Contact via E-mail