Prevention

The best way to steer clear of ehrlichiosis or anaplasmosis is to avoid tick bites when you are outdoors. Most ticks attach themselves to your lower legs and feet as you walk or work in grassy, wooded areas or overgrown fields. After a tick attaches to your body, it usually crawls upward to find a location to burrow into your skin.

If you are going to be working or playing in an area that is a likely tick habitat, follow these tips to protect yourself.

Use tick repellents

• Spray your outdoor clothing, shoes, tent or other camping gear with a repellent that has 0.5% permethrin. Some gear and clothing may be pre-treated with permethrin.
• Use an insect repellent registered with the Environmental Protection Agency on any exposed skin, except your face. These include repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD) or 2-undecanone.
• Do not use products with OLE or PMD on children under age 3.

Dress for protection

• Wear light-colored clothing that makes it easier for you or others to see ticks on your clothing before they bite.
• Avoid open-toed shoes or sandals.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts tucked into your pants and long pants tucked into your socks.

Check for ticks

• Shower as soon as possible to wash off any loose ticks and check for ticks that may have burrowed.
• Use a mirror to check your body thoroughly. Pay attention to your underarms, hair and hairline, ears, waist, between your legs, behind your knees, and inside your bellybutton.
• Check your gear. Dry your clothes and gear on hot for at least 10 minutes to kill ticks before cleaning them.

Other tips

• Do a daily inspection for ticks on any pet that spends time outdoors.
• Stay on clear paths as much as possible in wooded and grassy areas.