Global Lyme Alliance (GLA), the leading 501(c)(3) dedicated to conquering Lyme and other tick-borne diseases through research, education, and awareness, and Ranger Ready Repellents, a new EPA-registered brand of body-worn repellents, announced a partnership focused on building awareness of the importance of tick-bite prevention, including the proper use of repellents, to safeguard the public from tick bites and Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections.
The partnership with Ranger Ready Repellents will expand GLA’s already successful Be Tick AWARE tick-bite prevention program to bring more attention to the critical need for year round tick-bite prevention for the entire family. Increased tick activity now year-round and in ever larger geographic regions than ever before, has resulted in an increased number of new cases of Lyme and tick-borne illness. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed an alarming 22% increase in Lyme disease in 2017 alone, and warn of similar increases in the future.
“Proper tick-bite prevention is the most effective way to prevent Lyme disease,” explains Scott Santarella, GLA CEO. “Our partnership with Ranger Ready will help us reach more communities than ever before with whom we can share tick-bite prevention strategies that, encourage everyone to Be Tick AWARE when they head outdoors.”
Why Tick-Bite Prevention is Important
Increased tick activity combined with unreliable diagnostics and limited treatment options make diligent tick-bite prevention for the entire family of utmost importance. Even when diagnosed and treated early, up to 20% of people infected with Lyme disease continue to experience debilitating symptoms. For those not diagnosed early, treatment success can vary greatly. With late stage or chronic Lyme disease, the bacteria can adversely affect multiple organ systems, joints, the heart, the brain, and parts of the central nervous system.
Ticks Carry More than Lyme Disease
The most common tick-borne illnesses are carried by blacklegged ticks (called deer ticks) that may also transmit several bacterial diseases including Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis, which often result in infections coincident with Lyme. The same blacklegged tick, may also transmit the Powassan virus which can cause encephalitis and meningitis. Experts warn that viral infections may occur in as little as 15 minutes after a tick bite.
How to Be Tick AWARE
AVOID areas where ticks live. Ticks thrive in wood piles, long grass, leaf piles, and beach grass.
WEAR light-colored clothing: long pants, sleeves, socks, and closed-toe shoes.
APPLY EPA-approved, CDC-recommended tick repellent to skin and insecticide to clothing and shoes as directed.
REMOVE clothing upon entering the home; toss into dryer at a high temperature for 10-15 minutes to kill ticks.
EXAMINE yourself and your pets for ticks daily. Check everywhere — ticks love to hide!
Choosing a Tick Repellent
Body-worn repellents serve as the first line of defense for tick bites. When choosing a tick repellent, it is important to select an EPA-approved, CDC-recommended active ingredient such as Picaridin 20%. “Picaridin 20% is recommended by the CDC, the World Health Organization, and Health Canada, is the leading active ingredient sold in European pharmacies,” said Chris L. Fuentes, Founder and CEO of Ranger Ready Repellents. “We created Ranger Ready with Picaridin 20% because it’s highly effective against ticks and can be safely worn by adults and children who must be protected every day.”
Protect Your Family and Support GLA
As part of its ongoing efforts to protect people of all ages against Lyme disease, Ranger Ready will be donating to GLA 15% of its net revenues in May 2019 in recognition of Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Education about the dangers of tick bites is a key component of Lyme disease prevention, and Ranger Ready is committed to expanding education in the U.S., as evidenced by its partnership with the Global Lyme Alliance. By offering a repellent that is DEET-free and safe for the entire family, Ranger Ready is also removing the stigma often associated with body-worn repellents.
Learn more about the GLA-Ranger Ready partnership, including tips on how to Be Tick AWARE, at GLA.org/RangerReady.
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About Ranger Ready Repellents®
Ranger Ready Repellents is a premium body-worn repellent that exclusively uses Picaridin 20% as a safe and effective alternative to DEET. Ranger Ready is dedicated to providing protection for the whole family, including children over age of one, knowing the crucial role repellents play in protecting future generations against tick bites, Lyme disease, and other vector-born illnesses. Ranger Ready is a brand of the PiC20 Group, LLC, a privately held company based in Norwalk, CT. Visit RangerReady.com for more information.
About Global Lyme Alliance
Global Lyme Alliance is the leading 501(c)(3) dedicated to conquering Lyme and other tick-borne diseases through research, education and awareness. GLA has gained national prominence for funding some of the most urgent and promising research in the field, while expanding education and awareness programs for the general public and physicians. We support those around the globe in need of information about tick-borne diseases. Learn more at GLA.org.
