Quote:
Originally Posted by westsideboy
Yeah, they really help, but to each their own. I have changed my habits a good bit over the last few years too, try to stay on groomed trail more, stay off game trails, etc.
Really, it is Lyme you are trying to avoid, more than the ticks themselves.
https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/stats/maps.html
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I'm afraid I want to avoid all ticks, not just Lyme
Arachnophobia. Eeek
Aside from Lyme (which is concentrated in the Northern part of the state, at least for now), anaplasmosis, babesiosis, powassian, etc, ticks can cause tick poisoning or tick paralysis (more rare). I had definitely met people who'd experienced tick poisoning: tick injects neurotoxin when it attaches and the person might experience pretty bad flu-like illness or even temporary paralysis or leg weakness.
I wonder if people usually start antibiotic soon after the bite or wait for first Lyme symptoms. I heard that even doctors have opposite opinions.