It’s difficult to imagine that a week at summer camp or a day spent in the garden could expose you or your loved ones to a vector-borne disease that can have potentially long-lasting and chronic effects on your health.
But that’s exactly what’s at stake, especially if you live in higher risk parts of the country such as the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest, where humidity levels are higher, said Dr. Samuel Shor, past president of International Lyme & Associated Diseases Society and a clinical associate professor at George Washington University.
“If not caught early, Lyme [disease] can have lasting effects on the brain and nervous system and potentially lead to cognitive impairment,” Shor said.
Lyme disease is transmitted through deer ticks, which carry the bacteria responsible for Lyme, explained Dr. Luis Marcos, an infectious disease specialist at Stony Brook Medicine, which is located in New York’s Suffolk County at the epicenter of tick-borne diseases. Lyme also happens to be one of the most common vector-borne diseases in the United States.
“Lyme disease is a growing problem for Suffolk County, with around 600-700 cases every year. Ticks can [also] be active year-round,” Marcos told HuffPost.
The American Camp Association, a community of camp professionals focused on enriching the lives of children through camp, estimates that 25% of all Lyme disease diagnoses in the country are kids, and that children in the summer camp-appropriate age range of 5-14 years old are considered a particularly high-risk group. It’s such a concern, in fact, that the ACA created checklists and codes of conduct to prevent tick bite exposure in summer camp settings.
Prevention is a good place to start when it comes to protecting yourself from ticks and Lyme, and according to Dorothy Leland, vice president of LymeDisease.org and co-author of the book, “When Your Child Has Lyme Disease: A Parent’s Survival Guide,” there are several repelling tools in the form of sprays, topicals and clothing that can reduce the chances of a tick bite outdoors.
“You should apply bug repellent to exposed skin. Studies show that repellents with DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil are the most effective against ticks,” Leland said.
Shor said DEET should be a first-in-line choice for tick repellent; however, if you are skin-sensitive to DEET, picaridin is a natural alternative that is most commonly effective against mosquitos and can be a sufficient substitute.
“It’s important to be proactive about the kinds of clothing you wear,” he added. “Stick to light-colored clothing because it can make it easier to spot a tick and tuck pant legs into socks and shirts into the waistband of your pants to prevent ticks from crawling under clothing.”
Leland said that you can also treat your clothing, shoes and gear with a spray that contains 0.5% permethrin, a synthetic insecticide, which can offer protection for up to five to six washes.
“You can [also] purchase clothing that has been pre-treated with permethrin and the protection lasts through 70 washings,” she said.
“If there’s one piece of information that I would want to impart,” Shor said, “it is that you need to be aware of your surroundings. We know that ticks like tall grass and heavily leaved areas. We also know that one of the most high-risk environments for tick exposure is when people are gardening.”
You can be proactive on your next outdoor venture or send your camper away with some precautionary items from following list. Find kid-safe repellents and clothing items that have been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency as safe and effective measures to repel insects, including ticks.
HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.
A protective insect-repelling hoodie
This soft-stretch, quick-dry cotton hoodie has been treated with EPA-approved permethrin that is odorless and invisible on clothing. The addition of the lightweight hood and close-fitting design provides additional protection against insects. Shop this machine-washable long-sleeve in three colors and sizes for both standard and plus, as well as sizing options for both men and women.
A long-lasting aerosol insect repellant that has a kid-safe concentration of DEET
Cutter's Backwood aerosol repellent contains 10% DEET, making it suitable for non-supervised use for kids, and can be applied to both skin and clothing for effective protection that lasts up to 10 hours. The sweat-resistant formula also ensures that you or your child can remain active in warm weather and still be protected from ticks.
A 50-pack of DEET-infused towelettes for protection on the go
For a more portable means of protection, these infused towelettes each contain 30% DEET that can be rubbed onto exposed patches of skin to provide up to seven hours of protection. The water-based formula is low-odor, non-greasy and non-staining.
A pair of anti-insect hiking pants with UV protection
These insect-repelling hiking pants, available in sizes for both men and women, have been treated with permethrin and are constructed from a lightweight nylon with added stretch so it moves easily and dries quickly. These machine-washable pants are also infused with UPF 50+ sun protection.
A permethrin treatment spray for clothes, gear and tents
Add an extra layer of protection to your clothing, shoes and gear with this unscented permethrin spray that bonds to fabric fibers and repels ticks and 55 other insects, including mosquitoes. Available in both an aerosol or pump-spray formula, the treatment is effective for up to six weeks or six washings, and it won't stain or damage fabric and other surfaces.
A DEET-free oil of lemon eucalyptus spray that can be less irritating to skin
For skin that is sensitive to DEET, this oil of lemon eucalyptus-based repellent spray can be a botanical-powered option that offers up to six hours of protection. This natural alternative has a non-chemical scent and won't leave skin feeling greasy. Just keep in mind that DEET-free formulas won't offer the same level of protection against ticks as options that do contain DEET.
A pair of padded cotton crew socks with an anti-insect coating
Like all of Insect Shield's products, these cotton crew socks have been treated with permethrin, which has been tested for effectiveness against insects, including ticks. They have a comfortable built-in cushion on the sole and are available in sizes M-XL.
A light-colored UV-protective T-shirt with tick-repellent abilities
Made from 70% cotton, this ultra-breathable and lightweight shirt has EPA-registered permethrin repellent built into the fabric, providing protection against insects for up to 70 washes. This long-sleeve shirt also offers 30+ UV sun protection and is available in sizes for both men and women.
Tick-repelling leg gaiters made from mesh
These stretch-mesh leg gaiters have been treated with long-lasting EPA-registered, micro-encapsulated permethrin that is both resistant to UV exposure and gradually released by friction. They remain effective for up to 50 washings and are available for the arms as well.
A pair of kids' treated cargo pants with cuffed ankles
Treated with Insect Shield tech, these cargo pants for kids have abundant pockets for storing valuables and have elasticised ankle cuffs for even greater tick protection, since it's more difficult for insects to travel up pant legs. There's an elastic waist for added comfort, even as kids grow, as well as UPF 50+ sun protection. Shop them in two colors and gender-neutral sizing XXS — XL.
A pair of permethrin-coated hiking pants in a convertible design
You can convert these permethrin-coated and UV-protective pants from full-length trousers to shorts using the concealed zippers at the knee. The quick-drying material promises a gentle stretch to allow for a full range of movements and plenty of pockets to keep valuables handy. Shop them in two colors and sizes for both men and women.
A time-release insect repellent lotion with a high percentage of DEET
This insect repellent lotion contains a little over 34% DEET, a relatively high concentration compared to most repellents on the market. The continuous time-release technology protects for up to 12 hours and the lotion formulation helps to ensure that exposed skin can be thoroughly covered. Because the DEET concentration in this formula exceeds the recommended level for kids (which is 10%-30%), use with children should be supervised.
A pair of permethrin-treated leggings for women
Specifically designed for outdoor activities, these four-way stretch leggings have been treated with an EPA-registered permethrin repellent and have an added UV protection of SPF 50+. They are constructed from a nylon and Lycra spandex blend that's moisture-wicking and breathable. Find them in up to three colors and in both standard and plus sizing.
Tick-repelling stickers infused with essential oils
Editor's Pick: Meant to adhere directly onto clothes, NatPat's tick-repelling stickers are made with biodegradable bamboo “AromaWeave” fibers, which are infused with geranium, peppermint, thyme and cedarwood oils and use the smells to repel ticks from around the areas where you place the stickers.
We first heard about NatPat through HuffPost executive editor Kate Palmer, who has used the stickers with her family. “I live in a very tick-prone part of the country, and my family and I spend a lot of time hiking and gardening. So ticks are my enemy number 1,” she said. “I started using these patches on my kids and myself a few years ago, and they have seemingly worked very well for us. I like that it means we don’t have to douse ourselves in spray, and that you can attach them to your socks and clothing rather than your body. They give me a little more confidence to enjoy the outdoors. Checking for ticks is still a good idea once you’re back inside, though!”
A Burt's Bees Res-Q ointment for post-bite healing
Editor's Pick: Though this naturally soothing balm by Burt's Bees certainly won't protect you from tick exposure or bites, we wanted to include it because of how effective reviewers claim it is for rapidly healing bug bites, along with scrapes, cuts and minor abrasions you might get hiking in nature. This pampering salve contains nourishing vitamin E and lavender oil to soothe and instantly neutralize itching so bites can actually heal.