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TICKS can be found most anywhere in nature, but are more prevalent in areas such as the eastern section of the Columbia River Gorge. It's impossible to completely avoid these vermin, but if you visit their known haunts, it's best to wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat and use insect repellent containing "deet" or other deterrent. Be sure clothing is light colored for visual detection and wear no clothing that is "nubby". We've been told, and it makes perfect sense, that ticks have difficulty adhering to a "slick" surface, such as nylon hiking pants, so the same may be said for all outerwear.
Apparently ticks do not jump, but are picked up most often as you brush against vegetation or tree branches, thus the instruction you most often hear in "ticky" areas: don't go off trail. It's prudent to be careful about where you set your backpack down during a lunch break.
In a known area of heavy infestation, we like to take along our small, light-weight tripod seats with the "slick" aluminum legs so we're not sitting on the ground. These seats are mentioned in an earlier positing on equipment and clothing.
A quick post-hike "tick check" is a good idea before entering the car, and a thorough search before showering at home, including your hair, is suggested.
Al has had three encounters with ticks and each time was able to extract the insect body intact with a tick removal instrument available at outdoor stores. A practice session with the instrument is in order before heading out. Leaving embedded pieces of the tick in tissue can lead to infection.
Some have suggested smothering the insect with petroleum jelly, but we've also understood this can cause the tick to regurgitate into the tissue - not a good thing. Also, do not pull on the insect as breaking it into pieces makes it more difficult to remove the entire tick, which is the object. Check with a medical provider to obtain more specific medical remedies. In some cases, an antibiotic is prescribed.
POISON OAK
The bane of hikers, poison oak is a source of concern in many areas, but particularly in the more arid part of the gorge. Usually, the plant can be avoided by simply watching for it along the trail. Anytime there are plants with three leaves, stay clear. The foliage colors range from stark green to crimson, so watch for the number of leaves.
A product called "Technu", available at most outdoor stores is helpful if there has been known contact with the plant. It's a form of solvent that is said to remove plant oils from the skin and minimize outbreaks of the itchy rash. We carry the Technu in our car and use after a hike on exposed skin if there is a concern, rinsing with extra water we've left in the car just for this purpose. Directions also indicate it can be used in the shower, applying to contact areas.
After a day of hiking, we remove all our clothes at the front door and immediately wash the garments with regular detergent.
A couple of times, we've been unfortunate enough to develop the poison oak rash and it takes a week or two before it disappears. A dermatologist suggested some time ago that we use an over-the-counter topical gel product called "Itch-x" for the relief of itching, and for us it worked wonders. We note there is a plethora of products advertising on the web for the treatment of poison oak - some of them probably even work.
BEE STINGS
Once or twice in the last fifteen years, we've encountered nest of ground bees on a trail with "stinging" results. Obviously, those who are allergic need immediate medical care and should always come prepared for this eventuality, but for those not so severely affected by the stings, we like a product called "Sting-Eze" which seems to act as a numbing agent and relieves the pain quickly. Without doubt, there are numerous other products for this purpose also.
The above information does not represent expert advise or remedies, nor is it comprehensive in any way. It is simply offered as our personal experience and "what works" for us in a very limited context and, perhaps, acts as a "jumping off" point for the uninitiated.
Apparently ticks do not jump, but are picked up most often as you brush against vegetation or tree branches, thus the instruction you most often hear in "ticky" areas: don't go off trail. It's prudent to be careful about where you set your backpack down during a lunch break.
In a known area of heavy infestation, we like to take along our small, light-weight tripod seats with the "slick" aluminum legs so we're not sitting on the ground. These seats are mentioned in an earlier positing on equipment and clothing.
A quick post-hike "tick check" is a good idea before entering the car, and a thorough search before showering at home, including your hair, is suggested.
Al has had three encounters with ticks and each time was able to extract the insect body intact with a tick removal instrument available at outdoor stores. A practice session with the instrument is in order before heading out. Leaving embedded pieces of the tick in tissue can lead to infection.
Some have suggested smothering the insect with petroleum jelly, but we've also understood this can cause the tick to regurgitate into the tissue - not a good thing. Also, do not pull on the insect as breaking it into pieces makes it more difficult to remove the entire tick, which is the object. Check with a medical provider to obtain more specific medical remedies. In some cases, an antibiotic is prescribed.
POISON OAK
The bane of hikers, poison oak is a source of concern in many areas, but particularly in the more arid part of the gorge. Usually, the plant can be avoided by simply watching for it along the trail. Anytime there are plants with three leaves, stay clear. The foliage colors range from stark green to crimson, so watch for the number of leaves.
A product called "Technu", available at most outdoor stores is helpful if there has been known contact with the plant. It's a form of solvent that is said to remove plant oils from the skin and minimize outbreaks of the itchy rash. We carry the Technu in our car and use after a hike on exposed skin if there is a concern, rinsing with extra water we've left in the car just for this purpose. Directions also indicate it can be used in the shower, applying to contact areas.
After a day of hiking, we remove all our clothes at the front door and immediately wash the garments with regular detergent.
A couple of times, we've been unfortunate enough to develop the poison oak rash and it takes a week or two before it disappears. A dermatologist suggested some time ago that we use an over-the-counter topical gel product called "Itch-x" for the relief of itching, and for us it worked wonders. We note there is a plethora of products advertising on the web for the treatment of poison oak - some of them probably even work.
BEE STINGS
Once or twice in the last fifteen years, we've encountered nest of ground bees on a trail with "stinging" results. Obviously, those who are allergic need immediate medical care and should always come prepared for this eventuality, but for those not so severely affected by the stings, we like a product called "Sting-Eze" which seems to act as a numbing agent and relieves the pain quickly. Without doubt, there are numerous other products for this purpose also.
The above information does not represent expert advise or remedies, nor is it comprehensive in any way. It is simply offered as our personal experience and "what works" for us in a very limited context and, perhaps, acts as a "jumping off" point for the uninitiated.
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