Anything to Prevent Deer Ticks Except for Deet? - Lyme Disease Message Board

salty · 05-28-2009, 01:43 PM

Hello everyone. My father just went on another round of doxycycline and he had lyme disease last year. He's had numerous ticks on him already this season.

I've had 3 deer ticks on me over the last 3 days and I've just had it! I can't even take the garbage and recycles to the bins.

Is there any natural or alternative things we can use on our bodies except for deet?

My grandmother used deet for years and suffered many health problems due to it.

It's awful when you can't even go outside without worrying about being bitten.

The one that was on me today, I know I would never be able to find if it ended up in my hair...it was just so small.

Thank you very much,
Salty

seekfind · 06-02-2009, 05:17 PM

My LLMD said only *DEET* works. And he is a homeopathic/alternative doctor and said this---that those natural ones just aren't effective! DEET is the way to go!

salty · 06-03-2009, 05:09 PM

Darn it, seekfind, I was hoping there'd be something else. Your homeo said this...gosh, I don't have much hope then. For him to say it...ugggh!

Thank you so much for writing.

Salty

esker · 06-03-2009, 05:33 PM

I use deet, but only on clothing, never on my skin. I wear over the calf length socks and spray those. Long pants and spray the legs. Long sleeve shirt and spray the sleeves and around the waistline. I wear a wide brimmed sun hat and I spray that. This all works very well against ticks and those flying biters without ever having to apply deet to the skin. At the end of the day everything goes into a hot soapy wash and me into the shower. Ticks crawl around for many hours before they bite, so, seize the opportunity to wash them off and down the drain!

trigal · 06-04-2009, 06:32 AM

I had the same question. Last night I found another deer tick embedded in my skin - this is the second one is less then a week!!! I agree with you - this is crazy!!!

I am on Doxy right now but I have no idea if I am treating for an old infection, new infection, now maybe a co-infection...

It's hard to stay hopeful when you are treating for lyme only to keep getting bit every week. I hear your frustration and too am looking for something other then deet but that may be the only thing.

I would be curious to hear others experiences.