Tick-en pox
Ever step in a tick nest and not realize it until a couple of hours later? I have! What fun! What joy!
I took a hike with a few MadMayoites on Saturday morning at Mayo Park. I was wearing aqua socks. Then I took the dogs to Farris park, still wearing the aquas. Got home, decided to go for a run. By that time it was about 90 degrees, so I just left the aquas on. I kept it short because of the heat, chatted with the neighbors on the way back, went home, took off the shoes… dozens of tiny ticks were crawling hither and thither. We’re talking tiny – two of them would have room to do a waltz on a period. I scraped off as many of them as I could in the shower, then just waited for itchypalooza to begin.
It looks like chicken pox. I have bites all over, especially on my feet. Of course. So not much running will be happening this week, I’m afraid.
UPDATE: Alright alright. You want a pic? It’s gross. And I’m only showing my feet, so no sexy calf/thigh/butt pics of bitten bubbled skin. But first, here’s a link to what got me. Regardless of one’s footwear, if you’re running in the woods be warned this could happen to you:
Shoes didn't protect me from this...
Yeah. I’m covered with this. Go ahead, tell me how sexy I am.
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Comments
Yuck! Obviously keep an eye out for any signs of Lyme’s with ticks that small. Hope the itching clears up quickly. How about the pup–did he get his share also?
Russ: The best part is I might get Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever! Yay!
MissZippy: I almost took the dogs, but thought I’d be running more and didn’t want the little guy to work too hard in this heat. My running buddies seem to be unaffected. Just me.
Steve: Your wish is my command – check the update.
Wow! Picture’s worth a thousand words. I do some hiking in the Tennessee state parks and in the Smokies. I usually find a tick or two on me, but nothing as bad as that pic. Scary actually. Perhaps they are attracted to Charlie’s Soap 
Dude… I hope you aren’t too itchy! Thanks for the update. Your blog never lets me down. Keep it coming!!!
I have to get up your way sometime for a run. We will have to keep it to 8 miles or less for now though. 
I once was at a friends house, we were sitting out by the fire talking and drinking. They had a bunch of those torches that keep mosquitos at bay so I was just chilling. I had some slip on Vans on the feet but they felt hot so I kicked them off. I didn’t notice any problem until the next morning when my feet were almost too swollen to fit back into my shoes! I’m talking mosquito bites ALL OVER my feet and ankles. It was one of the worst two weeks of my life! And of course everyday was like perfect running weather. Hope your feet heal up soon!