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WebMD
17 hours ago
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How Tick Experts Protect Themselves Against Ticks
June 27, 2025 — Growing up in the rural Midwest, I had a tick routine after walking in the woods: Shower, scrub my scalp, and feel for ticks. Pluck any I found — a regular occurrence — with tweezers. No problem and no symptoms. But how do tick experts — people who know where ticks are and how they spread, and employ the latest strategies — handle this growing scourge? After all, ticks are everywhere. In certain regions, if you're bitten by a tick, there's a good chance it's carrying Lyme. A Dartmouth study found that half of black-legged ticks and a quarter of nymphal black-legged ticks in the Northeast tested positive for the disease over three decades of data. Other tickborne diseases throughout the country include anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and tularemia. And while vaccines to prevent Lyme and other tickborne diseases are on the horizon, they're not available yet, so bite prevention is key. Turns out much of the advice today is the same as when I was a kid in the '90s, but these days technology offers some upgrades. Here's what tick experts do. Tick Expert Panel 1. They wear pretreated clothing and accessories. Wearing clothes treated with permethrin (an insecticide that also repels insects) is one of the best ways to protect yourself from ticks and mosquitoes — much more effective than simply wearing long sleeves and pants. Mather did a study of outdoor workers and found that treated clothes reduced tick bites by 65%. L.L. Bean has a whole line of insect-repellent clothing, and brands like Shoo For Good, Craghoppers, and Insect Shield all offer permethrin-treated pieces. Permethrin-infused accessories like tick gaiters are also growing in popularity. Treated clothes are a great option for those who can't do proper tick checks because of vision or mobility limitations. Use them for everyday activities like dog-walking, Mather said — don't save them for hiking trips. 'When people have a technology like that, they think it's for a special occasion. Then it actually doesn't get used when it's best to be used.' 2. They re-treat their clothes at least once a year. In the study's second year, participants had 50% fewer tick bites — a drop from the first year, which is why Mather says to re-treat clothes annually. You can use an at-home spray (like Sawyer Permethrin Fabric Treatment), or ship your items to a company like Insect Shield, which will treat them for you. 3. They check the EPA's online search tool to find repellent spray. This tool lets you filter products by active ingredient, protection time, and target pest. Look for options with at least 30% DEET, 20% picaridin, or 20% IR3535 — all proven to repel ticks. Oil of lemon eucalyptus (30%) is also effective but needs to be reapplied more often, is toxic to cats, and is not recommended for children under 3. Spray any exposed skin. If you're sweating a lot, you'll likely need to reapply more often than the label says, said Haines and Davis. 4. They go for clothing hacks. In tick-heavy areas, pull long socks over your pant legs, Swiger said. 'If you plan to be out for a long time, putting tape around the tops of your socks is recommended. The tape is wrapped so the sticky part is facing out and will collect any ticks crawling up the shoes and pant legs.' Choose light-colored clothes to help you 'find the ticks faster and prevent them from accessing your skin,' said Swiger. And don't wait until you're home to do a scan — if you drove to the trail, check before getting back in the car. 5. They use online tick tracking systems. Of course there are AI-powered apps for identifying ticks, but Mather said they're not reliable yet. One resource you can rely on is TickSpotters, a crowd-sourced service that Mather manages through TickEncounter (and which Haines and Davis recommend). Anyone can submit a photo of a tick on their body or recently removed (take the shot from above — the top of the insect makes it easier to identify), along with information about how long they think it was attached, for Mather or a colleague to identify. Within roughly 24 hours, you'll receive an email that lets you know if you indeed were bitten by a tick, what kind of tick it is, and what stage of life it was in (all factors that affect disease transmission risk). Swiger, Haines, and Davis also use the CDC's map of the historical number of Lyme disease cases per state. It could help you avoid areas that are the most tick-infested or take extra precaution where your risk is high. 6. They don't rely on doctors. Many medical doctors won't be able to identify all ticks and their life stages, so consulting with an entomologist or acarologist through a program like TickSpotters is extremely useful. The information you get can change treatment plans. For example, doxycycline can be used to reduce the risk of Lyme after a tick bite, but if you know the tick that bit you isn't a carrier of Lyme, you can skip this treatment. You can also use apps like The Tick App to report your experiences with ticks. Researchers use this info to monitor tick populations and disease risk in various places. 7. They keep their property neat and protected. Mather sprays the wooded edges of his property with synthetic pyrethroid once a year. He also recommends tick tubes (he invented them!). These are biodegradable tubes filled with permethrin-treated cotton, which mice use for their nests, making them less likely to carry ticks. These work best around properties where many mice are present and won't work with all tick-carrying animals, Mather said. Keeping your lawn well-groomed helps keep ticks away. These insects seem to prefer the protection, moisture, and complexity of tall grass and some non-grass lawns, Mather said. Keep grass short, rake up leaf litter (especially oak leaves), and trim overgrown vegetation in the spring and autumn. A robotic lawn mower — like a Roomba for your yard — can reduce tick habitats around your home even when you're away on vacation. Adding a wood chip or gravel border between your yard and wooded areas, and fencing your yard to keep out deer (a common tick host) are also good ideas, said Haines and Davis. 8. They use a special tool to remove ticks. Mather recommends a tick remover, which lays flat against the skin and can be easier to use than standard tweezers. 'The most important thing to remember is that the tick should be pulled straight up out of the skin,' said Swiger. Don't twist the tick; you'll pull it apart and leave the mouth attached. But if you don't get it all out, don't panic. Mather said if a tiny bit of the tick's mouth is left behind, it doesn't change your risk of infection and your body will naturally expel it. But picking at it could make infection risk worse. He recommends wiping the area with an alcohol pad after removal and keeping the tick in a bag in the freezer for identification and potential disease testing. Check your state health department to see if it offers free testing, said Swiger.
WebMD
a day ago
- Health
- WebMD
Why COVID 'Razor Blade' Sore Throat Hurts So Bad
June 26, 2025 – The new COVID-19 variant that now makes up about a third of U.S. COVID cases has a signature symptom: a painful sore throat that feels like "razor blades." "This 'razor blade sore throat' was reported as a common symptom in China," where the variant first emerged in May, said Matthew S. Kelly, MD, MPH, chief of infectious diseases in the Pediatrics Department at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. It's also been widely reported in other countries, including the U.S., as the variant has spread worldwide. Why Does This Sore Throat Hurt So Much? NB.1.8.1 – or Nimbus – is a subvariant of Omicron, the dominant COVID variant since late 2021. Omicron variants tend to cause more throat problems than the virus's earliest forms. In the past few years, infectious disease specialist Peter Chin-Hong, MD, has seen more and more COVID patients with sore throats. "Even before this variant, sore throat has been reported in up to 70% of patients with COVID, and it can be severe," said Chin-Hong, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco. One possible explanation is that as the virus evolves, our body's response to it changes too. COVID viruses bind to ACE2 receptors, found on the surface of cells. Cells in the upper airway (nose, throat) have more ACE2 receptors than those in the lower airway and lungs do – making them prime targets for Omicron variants, which bind to these receptors more strongly. Research suggests that of all the variants circulating now, Nimbus binds to ACE2 receptors the most. Once the virus reaches those cell receptors in and around your throat, your immune system – likely primed by past infections, vaccination, or both – kicks into overdrive to keep the virus at bay. Cue inflammation, fluid buildup, redness, and swelling. "Symptoms of the sore throat are not from the virus itself," said Chin-Hong. "They are from the inflammatory reaction to the virus." Another possibility: A COVID sore throat might feel worse today than it did earlier in the pandemic, because the original virus had more severe systemic symptoms, diverting attention from individual ones like a sore throat, said Chin-Hong. What Works for a Sore Throat? Anti-inflammatory drugs."[Data shows that] the most effective thing for sore throat is systemic therapy," said Chin-Hong. Think over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen. If pill swallowing is painful, try a liquid form, he said. Numbing agents, like throat sprays and lozenges with benzocaine, can be effective for short-term relief. Just don't ignore the package directions because misuse can be dangerous. "You're just trying to dull the pain for a couple of days when it's at its worst," said Kelly. Menthol lozenges. Menthol affects nerve activity in the throat, causing a mild numbing effect for a short time. Warm or cold liquids. No high-quality studies exist for these interventions, but many doctors still recommend hot tea and soup, or ice chips and ice pops. "This is sort of where medicine crosses over into: What seems to work for you? What did your mom do?" Kelly said. Here's what not to do: Don't beg your doctor for antibiotics. "Viruses are the most common cause of sore throat," said Chin-Hong – and antibiotics only work against bacterial infections. Plus: "Overprescribing antibiotics is bad for the microbiome and for increasing the risk of thrush and yeast infections." Don't assume steroids are a quick fix. "Sometimes people try to reach for steroids for pain associated with sore throat," said Chin-Hong, but steroids can have an immune-suppressive effect. In one 2025 study, people who took a corticosteroid for mild or moderate COVID had longer-lasting symptoms than those who took a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory instead. They were also more likely to be hospitalized. Don't apply pressure. You may have seen TikTok influencers touting "throat massage" techniques for a sore throat. Your neck is rich with delicate blood vessels and tissues that can be easily damaged with too much pressure, Kelly said. Leave massaging to trained experts. What Should You Do if You Have a Sore Throat? Take an at-home COVID test. (They still work for new variants.) If the test is positive, you can ask your doctor whether you're a candidate for an antiviral medication to help you recover faster. If it's negative, retest in 24 hours to confirm. When throat pain is your only symptom, it can take a few days before nasal swab tests can detect the virus, said Chin-Hong. Watch for symptoms that get worse, which could mean you have a severe bacterial infection or abscess. See a doctor if: Throat pain is much worse, compared to other symptoms. It's the worst sore throat you've ever had. You notice signs of a throat obstruction, such as hoarseness, drooling, or trouble breathing. Your doctor might do a throat culture for strep. If it's positive, you'll likely be prescribed antibiotics to keep the infection from spreading. "We want to prevent bad stuff down the road, like heart disease, rheumatic fever, or kidney disease," said Chin-Hong. Should You Worry About Nimbus? While U.S. cases are still relatively low, "this could lead to a summer surge or a surge in the next couple of months," said Kelly. Now's a good time to get a booster vaccine, particularly if you're 65 or older or have a chronic medical condition, he said. The COVID vaccines available now were formulated to target Omicron variants.
WebMD
2 days ago
- Health
- WebMD
A Severe Crisis Disrupts My Routine
Back in March, I had a severe sickle cell crisis that forced me to go to the hospital for stronger medication than I have at home. It had been three years since I'd had to do this. In those three years of being out of the hospital, I had no disruptions to my routine. A life free from the hospital began to feel achievable. All my other crises were manageable at home. When I recover from this level of crisis, I often experience amnesia about the events. I don't recall the pain or every detail of what I was going through because with something so traumatic, it is best to forget in some parts to move forward. However, a few days after the crisis began, I recorded my thoughts to document what was going through my mind. Looking back at the transcript, I realize how raw and dark my emotions were. It's a stark contrast to my usual "make lemonade out of lemons" attitude when I write publicly. I woke up at 2:30 a.m. and immediately felt that familiar pressure building around my body, accompanied by excruciating pain. The intensity of the crisis was a solid 10 out of 10. It felt like the pain was everywhere: my legs, my back, my arm, and my head were all under pressure. I couldn't breathe. Struggling for air, I took my most potent medications to try to alleviate some of the pain. When my friend asked if I wanted to go to the hospital, I didn't hesitate. That moment showed that this crisis was beyond what I could manage at home. I've always given my medication time to work before seeking medical attention, but this felt different. The pain and the sensation were so intense, it felt like death was calling me. But I wasn't ready to die. At that moment, I realized that at least with medical care, I might have a chance to hang on a little longer. That was the hope. My friends helped carry me to the car, wrapped in blankets to keep me warm. We knew the ambulance would take too long. I'm so grateful to my support system for helping me through this, carrying me to the car, and ensuring I was as comfortable as possible. In and out of consciousness, I felt the weight of the burden I placed on them. Once again, I exposed my loved ones to the ugliness of what sickle cell can do. It's never easy for them, and it's never easy for me. Despite everything, I overcame that moment because these people are my family. The family sees you at your best and worst. As I entered the hospital, the nurse started the triage process. I tried to stay calm. I knew that the more I panicked, the worse the pain and fear would become. Maintaining my breathing and emotions felt impossible while the pain swirled around my body, never staying in one place. I didn't know if I was experiencing acute chest syndrome, a stroke, or just a full-body sickle cell crisis. It was terrifying. I waited to be seen for the proper medication and a bed. It took about an hour before I was in a room, but it felt like hours. Eventually, they transferred me to another room where the testing began. They started me on IV medication, which I could technically have at home. Still, I trusted the doctors to follow the right course of action. Slowly, the medication began to help. The pain started to ease, though the road ahead still felt long. By the time the morning came, after hours of treatment, the pain finally felt manageable. I left the hospital with my friends supporting me again, ensuring I had the necessary medications. While the potent drugs helped manage the pain, they also made me drowsy, causing my thoughts to blur. In that state, all my commitments, work, meetings, therapy sessions, and appointments faded away. All I could focus on was survival. It was a strange, disorienting place to be. I'm used to worrying about others and sticking to my commitments. Still, at that moment, I was a shell of myself, unable to function without support. It was a complex crisis that reminded me of the heavy toll sickle cell takes on both body and mind. Guilt comes in because this isn't a regular occurrence for me, while others with sickle cell go through this so routinely. I'm struggling a lot with this, but I survived, and in the end, that's what matters, time to recover fully. Recovery is always in stages – physical, mental, and spiritual – to get back to where I was before the crisis hit.
WebMD
3 days ago
- Health
- WebMD
Skip That, Do This: Tips for Protecting Your Brain
June 24, 2025 – Not to state the obvious, but: You only get one brain. Take it for granted, and your odds of Alzheimer's and dementia increase as you age. Brain-boosting tips and products are everywhere, but most aren't backed by science. So for Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month (and the other 11 months), we asked experts: What's the most overhyped brain-protecting strategy, and what's the one more people should be using? Skip that: Taking nootropic supplements The hype: Sometimes marketed as smart drugs, memory enhancers, or brain boosters, nootropics promise to improve your thinking skills. The industry is enormous, amassing nearly $9 billion in global sales in 2022 – 40% of which came from the U.S. The reality: While prescription nootropics – like ADHD and Alzheimer's medications – are proven to work for their FDA-approved uses, evidence for over-the-counter supplements is thin, said Eva Feldman, MD, PhD, director of the NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies at the University of Michigan. Companies get away with vague claims of improved memory or brain function because the FDA only oversees products with specific health claims. That means most makers of these substances are never asked to prove their promises – or even that the supplement includes the ingredients on the label. Science says: One study review of 18 common ingredients in brain-boosting supplements found "no compelling evidence for use of apoaequorin, coenzyme Q10, coffee extracts, L-theanine, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, or vitamin B12 supplementation for memory." Plus, the lack of regulation may pose a health risk, particularly if undisclosed ingredients cause harmful side effects. Another study tested a dozen "brain health" supplements and found two-thirds were missing at least one ingredient on the label – and all but two contained ingredients that weren't on the label. What to do: Talk to your doctor before taking any OTC nootropic product, said Scott Small, MD, director of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at Columbia University. "The first issue is, do no harm. And harm can be both health and financial," he said. "I have patients who come in spending hundreds of dollars on false claims. It's shocking." Do this: Protect your hearing – and get hearing aids if you need them. Why it matters: People with hearing loss have a 37% higher risk of getting dementia than people with no hearing impairment. And the longer that hearing loss goes untreated, the worse your odds get. Hearing aids reduce that risk. What we know: "Your brain is made up of billions of nerve cells that communicate with each other using electrical signals and chemicals," Feldman said. "Hearing loss decreases the communication between nerve cells, and this communication is important for keeping the brain healthy." With untreated hearing loss, you're missing out on more than just speech. Studies have found that musicians and piano tuners – people who listen closely to music – often show increased brain volume. With hearing loss, you miss that brain-boosting opportunity. Science says: A mounting body of research shows a strong link between hearing loss and risk of dementia. How long you've had hearing loss and how severe it is matter: People who've been living with hearing loss for more than 25 years have the highest risk. One study found that for every 10-decibel loss in hearing (the difference between a quiet conversation and a whisper), dementia risk increases by 16%. What to do: If you think you've lost hearing, get tested ASAP – and get hearing aids as soon as you're told you need them. Remember, the problem isn't so much hearing loss itself – it's untreated hearing loss. Across the board, people in studies who wore hearing aids had a lower likelihood of dementia.
WebMD
4 days ago
- Health
- WebMD
Dating and Dropping the C-Bomb (Spoiler: It's Not Commitment)
During my first appointment with my nurse practitioner, she asked about my support system – specifically if I had a partner to go through treatment with. In my head, I was probably thinking something along the lines of, 'Wow, getting to the juicy stuff right away.' Being 21 at the time and surrounded by college guys, the answer was a hard no. Her question has stuck with me, though, as I've often wondered how my experience would've been different if I'd been in a committed relationship. Would it have been easier having someone to consistently rely on outside of my family? Would I have pushed them away, or would the experience have brought us closer than ever? The possibilities are endless. While I didn't have a partner then, dating after my diagnosis has given me plenty to think about when it comes to sharing my story. Although I went on a few dates while I was in treatment, I didn't bring up my diagnosis to anyone. I wasn't ready to divulge that part of my life with a stranger. I just wanted to go on cute dates and feel like a normal college girl – wondering if I was being ghosted if he hadn't texted me back in three days. Now, almost six years later, I'm in a new city and a mental space where I'm excited and ready to date. I'm also a lot more open about my diagnosis – both online and in person. A quick Google search would probably lead them straight to these blogs before our first date. Over time, I've learned that how I share my story depends on the person, the moment, and my own comfort level. If we make it past the initial small talk (and verify that the person is normal), then comes the deeper conversations about life experiences and what makes us who we are (cue my diagnosis story). There's no single right way to approach this conversation, but here are three ways I've done it. Disclaimer: I'm not in a relationship with any of the people mentioned, so I can't guarantee that my methods work. Breaking the Ice With Humor While I was on vacation, I went on a date with a doctor who was about to start residency. Within the first few minutes of our conversation, I could tell that he was easygoing and had a good sense of humor. This was confirmed when he made a joke about texting his dad to let him know he made it safely and I hadn't kidnapped him. As we walked along the beach at sunset, we saw a group of kids playing soccer. He told me about his love for sports – until he tore his ACL and needed surgery. Then he asked if I'd ever had any traumatic injuries. Without missing a beat, I replied, 'I had breast cancer, if that counts.' His reaction was as expected – lighthearted yet supportive. Although I never saw him again, his reaction reassured me that sharing my story doesn't have to be a big, dramatic moment. It can be as casual as the conversation allows. Letting Work Lead the Way It's pretty common (in the U.S., at least) for occupation to be one of the first topics brought up when getting to know someone. I was texting with a guy from a dating app (which I loathe, by the way) who told me a little bit about his career as an engineer and what led him to that field. He then asked what I do for work, so I told him I work at a breast cancer nonprofit. His next question was how I ended up there, to which I replied, 'I've been working at my organization for a year, but I've been connected to it since I was diagnosed at 21.' His response was empathetic and positive – he shared that his mom had been through a breast cancer diagnosis as well. From there, we had an easy and meaningful conversation about our experiences – one that felt natural rather than heavy – all before the first of multiple dates! When It Doesn't Feel Right (and That's OK) Another dating experience involved a guy five years older than I am who works as a consultant. We met up for dinner and had Thai food (my favorite). We talked about a variety of topics – career, travel, hobbies, etc. Although he was kind and attentive, the vibe wasn't there for me – especially to bring up my diagnosis. There were several opportunities to do so, like when he asked what led me to teach English in Spain after graduation. Normally, I say something along the lines of wanting to do something fun and different after the senior year I had (insert cancer bomb). Instead, I just told him that I went through some health challenges and wanted time to recover and reflect – which is true, just not as open as I've been with other people in the past. And that was enough. Some conversations aren't meant to go deeper, and that's OK. Just as dating doesn't have a one-size-fits all approach, neither does sharing my story. It depends on the person, the moment, and how I feel. Some situations call for humor, others for depth, and sometimes, just digging deeper into my Thai dish rather than diagnosis is the best choice. Regardless of the approach, what matters most is that I get to decide when and how I tell my story.
