10 Things You Can Do to Avoid Lyme Infection

Straight up, Lyme disease is a bit of a bastard. It can mess with a person’s nerves and tissues, can cause aches and pains, and resemble things like the flu or arthritis — yet it’s so much more.

Celebs like Avril Lavigne and Yolanda and Bella Hadid have spoken of their Lyme struggles, raising awareness on the oft-misdiagnosed disease. Lyme disease, which is spread by the bites of infected ticks, doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors. Here are some tips from the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation so you can still enjoy the summer — outside.

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Dress accordingly

If you know you're going to be in grassy or wooded areas, the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation recommends covering up. Wear long sleeves and long pants (or longer socks) that are tight at the waist, wrists, ankles and neck. Not ideal for the fashionista who loves her tanks and shorts but, you know, better safe than sorry.

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Do a hair check

The little buggers like to hide out in hair so make sure to inspect hairy areas that are exposed — especially your scalp.

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Check yourself and others

After some time walking in the woods or gardening, do a once-over of your body and clothes, get your family and friends to check your back and scalp, and then return the favour. Ticks can cling to the folds of your clothing and bite when you put clothes back on, CanLyme warns.

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Landscape often

Cut your lawn regularly and keep any hedges and bushes from getting too unruly.

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Keep your property tidy

Ticks love to inhabit piles of dead leaves, long grasses, bushes and piles of wood, so by eliminating yard clutter, they'll find somewhere else to roost.

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Wear insect repellent

If you know you're going to be in a high-risk area, bug spray, bug spray, bug spray.

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Discourage deer

Deer are one of the main hosts for Lyme-carrying ticks so no matter how cute and sweet and peaceful they are, do whatever you have to do to get them to bounce.

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Watch out for your pets

When it comes to ticks, pets are just as delicious as people so work with a vet to make sure your pets are tick-free and get them on meds that will kill the buggers if they do manage to latch on.

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Remove a tick properly

The good news: it is possible to greatly reduce your risk of infection via proper tick removal! Do NOT burn the tick off, attempt to suffocate it with jelly/oils, or tug at the tick with your thumb and forefinger. Instead, use fine-pointed tweezers and slowly pull the tick straight out.

You can also order a tick kit for proper removal.

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Go see a doctor

If you spend time in high-risk areas and are experiencing any Lyme symptoms, go get checked out. Nothing wrong with being cautious.

For more info, check out the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation.