Ticks beware: Simple diet changes can help ward off bites

Ticks are not letting up. Right now, we are most vulnerable to their attacks. How can you protect yourself from these arachnids? Forget about ointments or sprays. All you need to do is include a few products in your daily diet.

The tick activity season starts in June and ends in September. During this time, we are particularly vulnerable to bites from these arachnids, which carry dangerous diseases. These include Lyme disease, babesiosis, and tick-borne encephalitis.

Until recently, ticks lived only in forests or wetlands. Now, you can find them even in the city. How can you protect yourself from ticks? An appropriate diet seems to be helpful.

Ticks are small arachnids from the mite order. Despite their small size, they pose a serious threat to human health and even life. They spread many diseases, such as Lyme disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, bartonellosis, and tick-borne encephalitis. No wonder many people fear close encounters with these arachnids.

You don't have to give up walking in the forest or outdoor activities. Just change your diet a bit. During the period of highest tick activity, try to eat foods high in vitamin B. This is one of the vitamins that changes the smell of sweat to one that repels arachnids.

What products are best? Spinach, nuts, groats, beans, and liver. Interestingly, beer, which contains B vitamins, can be added to our list of repelling products, as well as garlic, which also changes the smell of sweat.

Ticks also cannot tolerate aromas such as peppermint, lemongrass, tea tree, sage, cloves, and thyme. It's worth getting essential oils from these plants. They should be mixed with a bit of oil or lotion and then applied to strategic places like ankles, knees, or the skin behind the ears just before going out into the forest or meadow.

Besides diet and essential oils, remember a few basic protection rules. When planning a trip to places with a high risk of contact with ticks, it's worth wearing long pants and a hat. Clothes in light colors make it easier to spot ticks. After returning from such places, it's necessary to check the entire body thoroughly.