Recent attention around alpha-gal syndrome has reminded many of us that ticks are more than a nuisance. Alpha-gal syndrome, often linked to tick bites, is a potentially serious allergy to a sugar found in most mammals. For some people, it can cause allergic reactions after eating beef, pork, lamb, venison, or other mammal-derived products. The lone star tick is one tick of concern in our region and is known for aggressively biting people. The best way to reduce your risk is simple - prevent tick bites before they happen.

Ticks are commonly found in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas. You do not have to be deep in the woods to pick one up, many people encounter ticks in their own yard, while gardening, walking pets, mowing, hiking, hunting, or working outside. The CDC notes that reducing exposure to ticks is the best defense against tickborne diseases.

Before going outdoors, dress with ticks in mind. Long pants, closed-toe shoes, and socks can help reduce the amount of exposed skin. If you are going into tall grass or brush, tucking pants into socks may not be the most stylish look, but it does make it harder for ticks to reach your skin. Use an EPA-registered repellent on exposed skin. Common active ingredients include DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, PMD, or 2-undecanone. Always follow the label directions, especially when applying repellents to children. DEET is effective against ticks, and the CDC also recommends EPA-registered repellents for tick protection. For extra protection, treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin should be used on clothing, boots, socks, and gear, not directly on skin. You can also purchase clothing that has already been treated. This is especially helpful for people who spend a lot of time outdoors for work, gardening, hunting, or recreation. Once you come back inside, check yourself carefully. Ticks often attach in hidden areas such as around the hairline, behind the ears, under arms, around the waist, behind knees, and between the legs. Showering after coming indoors can help you find ticks sooner. Clothing can be placed in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to help kill ticks that may be on clothes.

Ticks are commonly found in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas. You do not have to be deep in the woods to pick one up; many people encounter ticks in their own yard, while gardening, walking pets, mowing, hiking, hunting, or working outside. The CDC notes that reducing exposure to ticks is the best defense against tickborne diseases.d skin. Common active ingredients include DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, PMD, or 2-undecanone. Always follow the label directions, especially when applying repellents to children. NC State Extension notes that DEET is effective against ticks, and the CDC also recommends EPA-registered repellents for tick protection. For extra protection, treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin should be used on clothing, boots, socks, and gear, not directly on skin. You can also purchase clothing that has already been treated. This is especially helpful for people who spend a lot of time outdoors for work, gardening, hunting, or recreation. Once you come back inside, check yourself carefully. Ticks often attach in hidden areas such as around the hairline, behind the ears, under the arms, around the waist, behind the knees, and between the legs. Showering after coming indoors can help you find ticks sooner. Clothing can be placed in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to help kill ticks that may be on clothes.

If you find a tick attached, remove it as soon as possible with fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick close to the skin and pull upward with steady pressure. Clean the bite area and your hands afterward. Avoid folk remedies such as burning the tick or covering it with petroleum jelly. Tick prevention is not about avoiding the outdoors. It is about building a few habits into your routine: dress properly, use the right repellent, check yourself afterward, and manage areas around the home where ticks are likely to live. A few minutes of prevention can go a long way in protecting yourself and your family.