How afraid should we be of ticks and Lyme disease?

[Moder-dye]

In the news today
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-nor ... s-44369721

[Richpips]

Saw this yesterday, A possible vaccine.

https://www.zmescience.com/medicine/lym ... -28052018/

[Zippy]

Saw this yesterday, A possible vaccine.

https://www.zmescience.com/medicine/lym ... -28052018/

Maybe with a bit more awareness, there will be the demand and so the market forces will make it commercially viable.

[ScotRoutes]

Very.

I've found Smidge to be very effective at keeping them at bay. I still do regular body checks though.

[maddyutah]

I was down glen Etive last Tuesday found 2 on my legs on the Saturday,dropped off alive intact
First time I’ve had them,dog has had plenty
Starting to get a bit paranoid now that I will end up with lymes as they were there for so long

[ootini]

I'd be more concerned about Weil's disease.

I do carry a tick remover, but not yet needed to use it.

[Richard G]

I think I'd definitely pay to get that vaccine once it's approved.

[ScotRoutes]

I usually get 6-10 each year (fewer now I'm using Smidge).

Iv'e twice had a course of antibiotics for Lyme.

The important thing is to remove them correctly. You don't want the little buggers vomiting up their stomach contents into you.

The ring rash is a good indicator but not foolproof. If you start to develop "flu-like" symptoms then definitely see a GP and hope they have some understanding of Lyme.

I've once had a blood test but I've been told that's useless now for me as I will always show positive.

[maddyutah]

Ootini-"I'd be more concerned about Weil's disease."

Doc didn't think so ,21 day course of Doxi

[Charliecres]

I bivvied near the Hydro Bothy above Contin a few weeks back. Saw a deer skip off as I arrived then put my mat down and within seconds it was covered in at least 10-15 of the little sods (ticks not deer). I think they must have liked it’s lurid green colour.

I’m glad to say that, Smidged and encased in a bug bivy, I didn’t get got.

[ZeroDarkBivi]

This is probably my biggest fear of biving in the UK, especially without a proper tent, and usually too dark or tired to do a proper check. I tend to wear long sleeves and 3/4 bibs, which also helps with midge, but I then get naked to change into sleeping clothes, providing an opportunity for the little bastards to get on board!

Can Smidge degrade fabrics anything like the deet based repellents did?

[Bearlegged]

Thread dredge, but it seems there's hopes for a decent drug treatment that might eradicate the disease in the wild (mice act as a reservoir for the bacteria):
https://www.newscientist.com/article/22 ... adication/

[rudedog]

Thats great news

[Moder-dye]

Can Smidge degrade fabrics anything like the deet based repellents did?

Based on the state of my bib shorts after a weeks bikepacking in the Highlands summer of 2018 I'd say yes. Though I was very liberal with it hoping it might deter the horse flies from sucking me dry via my thighs and arse. It does didn't. The shorts definitely looked like they'd been dissolving by the end of it in several places, but they will have had a load on without washing over the week.