Lyme Disease Symptoms and Avoiding Ticks in Central New Jersey

Sept. 5, 2011 - PRLog -- With central New Jersey's many inviting parks and nature trails beckoning, Hunterdon County, New Jersey residents tend to spend a lot of time outdoors, walking in grassy, marshy, wooded areas in the spring, summer and fall months.
While we're fortunate to live and work in the beautiful central Jersey area with all of its natural beauty, the fact is, hiking and most other outdoor activities increase the chances of central New Jersey residents (and pets) being bitten by a tick and possibly developing Lyme disease.

http://www.yourhunterdon.com recently posted a helpful article that included five things you should know to protect yourself and your family from Lyme disease:

1. Lyme disease is transferred to humans by bites from deer ticks, but other animals besides deer carry them, including birds and small rodents. Do not place bird feeders near your house because the animals they attract may carry deer ticks.

2. When outside, walk on clear or paved surfaces. Wear long sleeves and pants when possible with light-colored fabric to make it easier to spot ticks. Also use insect repellants with DEET or permethrin.

3. Use flea collars on your pets and brush them after they have been outside.

4. If a tick bites you, remove it with tweezers by griping it as close to the skin as possible.

5. Early symptoms of Lyme disease include a week or two of flu-like illness and sometimes a rash. If left untreated, further complications can occur, including heart, joint and nervous system problems.

If you think you may have Lyme disease, see a doctor right away. Treatment is most effective if it is started seven to 10 days after the infection.

For more helpul central New Jersey healthy living information, you can visit the Healthy Living section of yourhunterdon.com at http://www.yourhunterdon.com/health-fitness-nj-northern-n....

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