Also on this page: Camping Check List | Allergy Alert

Festival Goers Beware

Here it is skyclad season, with the weather getting hotter all the time. Who wants to wear clothes? Such a nice feeling to be out romping through the bush with the birds singing, feeling one with nature.

I have some bad news about going about skyclad and that is ticks. I have lyme disease and I picked up a tick while fully clothed!

Don't be fooled into thinking that lyme disease doesn't exist in Canada. There are many places in Ontario that are lyme-endemic areas, and lyme has been found as far North as Timmins and Thunder Bay.

Also don't be fooled into thinking that there is only one kind of tick that carries lyme, or that if you stay away from deer runs you'll be ok. Ticks hitch hike rides on migratory birds also.

Lyme disease is the second fastest growing disease in North America, next to AIDS. Yep, people do die of lyme disease, mostly because of inadequate treatment and it is not treated properly in Canada.

Please, while out skyclad have some one go over your entire body and look for ticks (can't say enough about the buddy system here). If you have clothes on, make sure that pants are tucked in socks, shirt tucked into pants, and long sleeves. I know it's summer!! Wear light cottons, and light colours — easier to see ticks on clothing then.

Ticks should be removed with tweezers, pulled out in one motion as close to the skin as possible, and saved in alcohol. Take the tick to a health centre to have it tested for lyme and other tick-borne diseases and co-infections. Don't flush ticks down the toilet as they survive through extreme conditions and will only emerge out the other end.

I would hate anyone to have to go through having lyme disease. It is ugly, hard to eradicate, and can be misdiagnosed as many different things — including bipolar disorder, ADD, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) Parkinsons disease, dementia, arthritis, lupus, and on and on.

If you would like more info about lyme in Ontario, please contact me.

In the meanwhile, enjoy the romp!!!

Peace
Deb

Question — Can dogs get it? Is it just in Ontario?
Yes, dogs get it — they will exhibit signs of lyme mostly by limping and lethargy. No, it is all across Canada.

Another cheery note — watch out for mosquitoes (possible Nile fever) and deer-mouse droppings (Hanta fever).

West Nile Danger — Use Repellent

E.J. sends the following link to a government site with info about what you should know before purchasing insect repellent A list of other links regarding insect control.

Don't Forget Something Vital

CAMPING CHECK LIST

(from Kaleidoscope Gathering website, slightly modified)

SHELTER/SLEEPING

[___]	AIR MATTRESS OR GROUND PAD OR COT
[___]	BLANKETS, PILLOWS
[___]	SMALL BROOM AND DUST PAN
[___]	CAMERA/FILM
[___]	FIRST AID KIT
[___]	AXE OR HAMMER AND HAND SAW for cutting branches
[___]	GAMES: CARDS/OTHER BOARD GAMES (esp. for kids)
[___]	MAPS
[___]	POCKET KNIFE
[___]	PAPER/PENCIL, PEN
[___]	ROPES
[___]	SHOVEL
[___]	SLEEPING BAGS
[___]	TARP for tent ground cover and one for covering gear
[___]	TENTS AND POLES AND STAKES
[___]	TRASH BAGS
[___]	WATER BOTTLES OR CANTEEN FOR HIKES
[___]	BACK PACK
[___]	CHAIRS, (FOLD UP)
[___]	COMPASS
[___]	WHISTLE
[___]	NOTE BOOK AND PENCILS
[___]	LANTERN
[___]	WORK GLOVES
[___]	Take your garbage home

HYGIENE/CLEANING (Biodegradable only!)

[___]	BABY SUPPLIES
[___]	BATH TOWELS, WASH CLOTHS
[___]	CAMP SHOWER
[___]	WASH TUB FOR SPONGE BATHS
[___]	DISH TOWELS, BRILLO OR SCRUB PAD
[___]	LOTION, SUNSCREEN
[___]	INSECT REPELLENT, INSECT CANDLES, SPRAY
[___]	LIP BALM
[___]	TOILET PAPER
[___]	SOAP: DISH/HAND/CLOTHES
[___]	TOOTH BRUSH, TOOTH PASTE, COMB/HAIR BRUSH, DEODORANT, FEMALE NEEDS...
[___]	ANY MEDICATION

COOKING/EATING

[___]	BIG BOWL FOR WASHING DISHES
[___]	BLOCK ICE OR DRY ICE
[___]	BRIQUETTES
[___]	BBQ UTENSILS
[___]	PROPANE OR OTHER FUELS FOR STOVES, LANTERNS, HEATERS....
[___]	WATER PILLS AND/OR FILTERS
[___]	COFFEE, HOT CHOCOLATE, TEA
[___]	CONTAINER for WATER minimum 5 gallons
[___]	CUPS, PLATES (PAPER ?)
[___]	FOOD KNIVES SHARP (STEAK TYPE)
[___]	FORKS, SPOONS, ETC.
[___]	GROCERIES (ENOUGH FOR DURATION)
[___]	ICE CHESTS AND ICE
[___]	LIGHTER FLUID
[___]	MATCHES (WOODEN STRIKE ANY-WHERE)
[___]	BABY FOOD
[___]	POTS/PANS
[___]	SPATULA, SERVING SPOONS
[___]	STOVE/BBQ
[___]	TABLE CLOTH
[___]	TEA KETTLE
[___]	Take your garbage home

CLOTHING

[___]	LARGE BAG FOR DIRTY CLOTHES
[___]	UNDERWEAR
[___]	LONG PANTS
[___]	SHORTS
[___]	T-SHIRTS
[___]	BUTTON-UP LONG/SHORT SLEEVE SHIRT
[___]	SWEATER/SWEAT SHIRTS AND PANTS
[___]	SOCKS
[___]	SLEEPWEAR
[___]	STURDY SHOES AND HIKING BOOTS
[___]	BATHING SUIT
[___]	SUN HAT
[___]	WOOL HAT
[___]	GLOVES FOR WARMTH
[___]	JACKETS, HEAVY
[___]	RAIN JACKET AND PANTS
[___]	SEWING KIT
[___]	Take your garbage home

OTHER

[___]	KLEENEX
[___]	MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
[___]	SUN-GLASSES
[___]	FLASHLIGHT AND BATTERIES
[___]	CONDOMS
[___]	MONEY/I.D./SPARE CAR KEY/CELL PHONE
[___]	Take your garbage home

Allergy Alert

Don't forget your Epipens, Ventolin or whatever. Determine ahead of time the best route to the nearest hospital or medical facility able to deal with anaphylactic reactions. Inform the registration desk and first-aid/emergency staff of your condition.

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