Don't Let Ticks Suck the Fun Out of the Outdoors

On this week's episode of the pod, we tackle a topic that bugs so many... ticks! Tis the season for ticks in certain parts of the US, so we had to talk about these little blood-sucking arthropods! We are “joined” by a special guest and the Executive Director of the American Lyme Disease Foundation: our very own Dr. Andrea Love! We kick things off with a summary of the diversity of tick species, especially those to be aware of in the US. We chat about different types of pathogens and diseases that may be spread by ticks. We discuss the ways the ticks feed and survive and their life cycle. We remind folks that not all ticks carry pathogens-- and we try to allay the concerns of those who avoid going outside out of fear of tick bites. Next, we focus on prevention and the multi-pronged approach that will significantly reduce your risk of tickborne illness! We discuss what to do if you are bitten by a tick (and what NOT to do) and debunk some common tick myths and misconceptions. We wrap things up with a discussion about tick testing (and whether it's necessary to send in ticks to labs for testing) and distinguish between diagnostic testing and surveillance. You do not want to miss this! Check us out on Substack and Instagram: www.theunbiasedscipod.substack.com https://www.instagram.com/unbiasedscipod Interested in advertising with us? Please reach out to [email protected], with “Unbiased Science” in the subject line. PLEASE NOTE: The discussion and information provided in this podcast are for general educational, scientific, and informational purposes only and are not intended as, and should not be treated as, medical or other professional advice for any particular individual or individuals. Every person and medical issue is different, and diagnosis and treatment requires consideration of specific facts often unique to the individual. As such, the information contained in this podcast should not be used as a substitute for consultation with and/or treatment by a doctor or other medical professional. If you are experiencing any medical issue or have any medical concern, you should consult with a doctor or other medical professional. Further, due to the inherent limitations of a podcast such as this as well as ongoing scientific developments, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information or analysis provided in this podcast, although, of course we always endeavor to provide comprehensive information and analysis. In no event may Unbiased Science or any of the participants in this podcast be held liable to the listener or anyone else for any decision allegedly made or action allegedly taken or not taken allegedly in reliance on the discussion or information in this podcast or for any damages allegedly resulting from such reliance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices