by Galaxy Diagnostics offers premier pathogenic testing, including everything from Lyme disease lab tests to bartonellosis and more. We have some of the most advanced testing kits on the market to help truly target these infections, and give you the diagnosis you need, in order to get the proper treatment you deserve. We are committed to providing you with exceptional pathogen tests, but in an ideal world, no one would be affected by some of these parasitic diseases. By taking the proper precautions, you can limit a lot of your risk for contracting infections that, in some instances, can last a lifetime.
Your health is our top priority, which is why we continue to provide educational resources for families, adults, medical and veterinary professionals to utilize. We’ve talked in the past about having a tick-free yard, but what about those times when you’re out in the wilderness or strolling through the woods, in an uncontrolled environment? Galaxy Diagnostics has the information you need to stay safe, wherever you are.
Know Your Surroundings
Walking into town or headed to a neighbor’s house? You probably don’t need to take extra safety measures to be safe from a tick bite — unless you’re trekking through the woods. Ticks love wooded areas, as well as places with tall grasses, shrubs, and bushes. Be mindful whenever you’ll be spending time in these types of areas, and take the proper precautions as needed. As cliche as it can be, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Stay on the Trails
Whenever you’ll be out hiking or biking, it’s essential to stay on the trails. Not only is this good practice for preserving and protecting the environment, but it’s a good way to protect yourself from ticks. Because ticks love those wooded and grassy spots, they’ll be less inclined to hang out directly on the trail — though you should still take the necessary safety measures to prevent bites.
If you’re backpacking or are going to be in the backcountry (regions without trails), you should be especially cautious about tick bites and your surroundings. Be sure to carry a reliable supply of insect repellant with you, which leads us into our next point:
Invest in Insect Repellent
The right kind of bug spray can be extremely valuable and useful in protecting against tick bites. Look for something with DEET, otherwise, other ingredients to look for in your insect repellent include:
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
- 2-undecanone
- Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
- Picaridin
However, the CDC advises against using insect repellents on babies under 2 months old, and anything with OLE or PMD on a child under the age of three.
When spraying, be sure to evenly cover your clothing and entire body. If wearing a hat, or putting your hair up in a ponytail, it’s recommended to get your hat and hair as well — simply put some bug spray in your hands, and lightly run your hands over your hair. It might feel grody, but showering later will take care of the bug spray, and you’ll be well-protected in the meantime.
In a future blog, we’ll cover several other tips to help protect yourself from tick bites. Prevention is one of the most crucial parts of health, and this couldn’t be truer when it comes to getting bitten by a tick. Galaxy Diagnostics wants you to be safe, but in the event you do get bit and end up experiencing some negative symptoms, our Lyme disease lab tests can help provide you with a proper diagnosis. Even if you don’t have Lyme disease, it’s better to know and have something else to rule out. Stay tuned for our next blog, and order pathogenic testing from Galaxy Diagnostics.