I have lyme disease and take care about ticks.

Wear light clothing, tuck pants into socks/boots (get your nerd on!), use Permethrin on your clothes, not skin.

Others swear by Skin so Soft-haven't had a tick bite while wearing it.

Also, when hiking, stay on trails, try not to brush past foliage (a tick transport system). Gardening/yard work/play the same. Current thinking is that field mice are the main carriers and they are everywhere.

Tick checks every day! Through-scalp,between toes and fingers, any body part they can hide in.

My own view is that if you do get bit, get a course of maximum anti-biotics, (the current IDSA course is not enough), just in case. Docs, esp. pediatrcians can be resistant. Just move onto another who will provide what you need.

With care you can avoid ticks and have lots of outdoor time.

Heard about this on WTOP, worth checking out if you are picking up the ticks from your yard:

http://wtop.com/?nid=902&sid=2817011

I would chose Picardin over DEET. DEET has been linked to neurological issues I think. We have one with Picardin and I like that it doesn't smell offensive the way most bug sprays do. Google Picardin...it's pretty good stuff and definitely safer than DEET IMO.

So sorry to hear you keep getting tics! It's supposed to be a really bad tic season. Do you get a lot of deer in your yard?

You need to weigh the dangers of something like Lyme Disease against the dangers of using a bug repellent. Personally, I think in this area, Lyme Disease is the bigger danger. But do some research to decide what you are comfortable with (including calling your OB).

If you decide on using bug repellent, something with DEET or Picaridin is the most effective. Most of the "natural" stuff isn't good for more than 10 minutes, or, as in the case of Oil of Eucalyptus, can be truly dangerous to you.

You can use physical barriers, too. There are pics in the document below. Long pants and sleeves, pants legs tucked into socks, etc.


http://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/publications/fact_sheets/tickbiteprevention05.pdf

Is there anything you can put on your skin to repell ticks? I found my 5th one attached to me yesterday. So grossed out! I'm pregnant so don't want to put anything harsh on my skin. DH and DC are always outside with me, but I'm the only one who has ever had a tick - and the one least likely to be playing in the grass or by trees as I am so squeamish about ticks. Totally makes me not want to even venture outside!