Considering the diseases that ticks can transmit, it makes sense to be as prudent as possible in avoiding tick bites.
Q. I am phobic about ticks, having had Rocky Mountain spotted fever as a result of a tick bite. Is there any good way to keep them off me?
A. Spray a DEET-containing repellent around shoes, socks and ankles. Tuck the bottom of your pants leg into your socks to keep ticks off your shins.
You may also want to ask your pharmacist to order sulfur powder if she doesn’t already stock it. It can be dusted around shoes and ankles for extra protection.
Even with these precautions, a few ticks may get past this barrier. Always perform a thorough tick check after being outside. Many diseases are not transmitted unless the tick has been attached for hours, but prompt removal makes the most sense.
To get rid of a tick that has already taken hold, a pair of blunt-end tweezers can be used to grasp the tick and pull it straight out away from the body. An alternative is one of the tick removal tools used to grasp and twist the tick off. We have written about these here.
