If you've been infected with Lyme disease before, you can contract the disease again, so your health care provider may recommend a variety of ways to prevent being bitten by another infected tick.
Decrease the risk of contracting Lyme disease by:
Wearing long pants and long sleeves. Wear closed-toe shoes, long pants tucked into socks, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat, and gloves while walking in wooded or grassy areas. Try to stick to trails and avoid walking through low bushes and long grass.
Using insect repellents. Apply an insect repellent with a 20 percent to 30 percent concentration of DEET to skin and clothing. Choose the concentration based on the hours of protection needed. The higher the percentage, the longer the protection lasts. Use only the amount needed for the time you'll be outdoors because chemical repellents can be toxic. Don't use DEET on the hands of young children or on infants younger than age 2 months.
Tick-proofing your yard. Clear brush and leaves where ticks can live and keep woodpiles in sunny areas.
Checking yourself, your family, and pets for ticks. Ticks can be fairly large or so small that they are almost impossible to see. When returning home from spending time in a wooded or grassy area, remove clothes and thoroughly inspect all skin surface areas, including the scalp.
Removing a tick immediately. If a tick is on your body, gently grasp the tick near its head or mouth with tweezers, pulling carefully and steadily. Be careful not to squeeze or crush the tick. Once the entire tick is removed, dispose of it and apply an antiseptic to the bite area.