Ticks are most active during warmer months, but tick bites can happen any time of the year.
They usually live in grassy, wooded, brush-filled areas, and even on animals, too. So if you’re into outdoor activities, like biking, hiking and camping, there’s a greater chance that you’ll encounter ticks.
They used to be just an annoying insect, that fed on the blood of their hosts such as humans and animals.
But feeding on various hosts have enabled them to become carriers of deadly diseases, depending on your region. Some of the serious illnesses they carry include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, etc. Most common symptoms of these diseases include fever, aches, or rash.
So if you’ve been bitten by a tick, there are a number of things you must immediately do so the insect won’t have the time to secrete saliva, toxins, and pathogens into the host.
The best way to remove a tick latched on to your skin, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), is through the old tweezer extraction.
- Use the tweezers by positioning them as close to the skin as possible to pull the tick out.
- Pull upward to remove the tick off of your skin. Make sure you don’t twist, squish or jerk the tick as this may cause its mouth to break off.
- Once the tick is removed, clean the bite area with soap and water. If someone else removed the tick for you, have them wash their hands. Don’t forget to clean the tweezers, too.
- Get rid of the tick by putting it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed container, or flushing it down the toilet. Don’t crush it especially with your fingers.
- To make sure you’re okay, go to your nearest healthcare provider as soon as possible.
These tips will help you make the most out of your RV camping vacation. Enjoy a hassle free RV camping trip with Adventure in Camping! Check out the list of campgrounds we service and give us a call if you have any questions!