As a family practice doc practicing in NH and an avid outdoor enthusiast as well as a grandmother I get concerned about ticks during tick season for my patients, myself and my grandkids. I am also deeply aware of the need for children and adults to spend as much time outside as possible for our mental and physical health. Climate changes seen in NH are from the greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. The climate changes are causing a longer season for ticks. In NH we are already having most days getting over 40 degrees and almost all of the snow cover is gone at least in the lower elevations. These are perfect conditions to start seeing ticks.
Tick bites can cause several diseases to include Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis. When I counsel my patients about avoiding ticks, I never recommend avoiding the outside. Instead, I recommend going outside every day for as long as possible and doing regular daily tick checks. Do the check as soon as you or your children come in from outside and again when bathing. I want to encourage everyone in NH to get outdoors for the sake of our and our children’s health. Just do regular checks for the ticks and call or go see your primary doctor if you think a tick was on more than 24 hours.
Darla Thyng
Hollis