Summer means insects and arachnids, like ticks, are out in force, which is why it’s important to brush up on how to avoid tick bites and protect yourself and your loved ones outdoors. Whether you’re hiking, walking the dog, or spending time in the garden, ticks pose a real risk – especially in the warmer months. Bite prevention expert Howard Carter has pulled together a set of practical prevention tips to help people stay protected this season.
“Stay safe from ticks with this easy-to-remember acronym,” says Howard, “T.I.C.K.”
“T – Think Ticks. Before you leave the house, remember that you could be travelling to or hiking around tick-prone areas. So plan ahead.”
“I – Insect Repellent. Pack an effective, natural insect repellent such as incognito (www.lessmosquito.com) and apply it before and during the periods that you could be exposed to ticks.”
“C – Cover Up. Cover your bare skin as much as possible, wearing loose clothing and applying insect repellent on any exposed areas of your body.”
“K – Keep Checking. Check your entire body after you return from your outing, including hidden crevices (like behind the ears). Check your pets as well.”
“If you are bitten, it is important to remove the tick promptly. Unless you know what you’re doing, only remove ticks using a special tick remover tool. Tweezers don’t work as well – you have to be careful taking a tick out as they can break, leaving parts still inside the body. Remove gently and hold it so that it is vertically above your skin. The chance of contracting Lyme disease is far less if you successfully remove the tick without squashing its innards into your body. Clean the area with antiseptic or soap and water.”
Prevention is better than cure
“When it comes to protection, I have developed a ‘Simple Step System’ to staying protected this tick season.”
“Step 1: Prepare – Use a citronella soap or special hair and body wash to help avoid attracting insects as they contain essential oils known for their repellency.”
“Step 2: Protect – Apply a clinically proven PMD insect repellent for reliable protection against ticks and biting insects – either a spray, lotion or roll-on.”
“Step 3: Extra protection – Stay fresh with a natural deodorant containing citronella, helping reduce body odours that can attract insects during the day.”
The incognito Active Tick Protection Bundle offers effective layered protection and covers steps 1 to 3 of the Simple Step System. Designed for everyday use – from garden time to weekends away it includes incognito Luxury Citronella Soap, incognito Mineral Sunblock Insect Repellent – for protection from the sun as well as ticks – incognito Insect Repellent Roll-On and travel-size Spray – for top-ups during the day – and incognito Citronella Deodorant. All five are 100% natural and DEET-free.
The incognito Active Tick Protection Bundle retails at £47.78 and is available from www.lessmosquito.com.
Individual products are available from independent health stores and pharmacies, Waitrose, Holland & Barrett, Sainsbury’s and Boots. incognito Award-Winning Mineral Sunblock & Insect Repellent retails at £27.99, incognito Insect Repellent Spray 50ml retails at £8.99, incognito Roll-On Insect Repellent retails at £10.99 and incognito Luxury Java Citronella Soap and Citronella Deodorant both retail at £5.99.