Golfers are at high risk for Lyme disease

 

Golf & Ticks

  • Golfers are at high risk of Lyme disease

  • Nearly 25% of golfers have been diagnosed with Lyme disease*

  • Fairways and roughs offer the ideal environment for ticks

Prevent Tick Bites

  • Wear light-colored clothes to make it easier to see tiny ticks
  • Spray golf shoes, socks and bag with permethrin tick repellent
  • Use tick repellent such as lemon eucalyptus oil, nootkatone or DEET
  • Walk in the center of the path; avoid sitting in high grasses or on fallen logs
  • At home, put golf clothes in a hot dryer for 10 minutes to kill ticks
  • Tick check yourself, jackets, golf bag, and other gear
  • Shower to wash away hard to spot ticks that have not yet latched on
  • Check carefully and use a magnifying glass or smartphone magnifier
  • Redo tick checks 3 days after each golf outing to see if you missed any ticks

Early-stage Lyme Symptoms

Early detection and treatment are crucial, and symptoms vary between people.

  • Skin rash (commonly, but not always, a circular or bullseye rash around the bite area)
  • Headaches or stiff neck
  • Flu-like ailments, fever or chills
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Fatigue or lack of energy
  • Swollen lymph nodes/stiff neck

Advanced-stage Lyme Symptoms

If not treated promptly, Lyme may progress to a disabling condition.

  • Arthritis
  • Severe headaches or migraines
  • Stiff neck due to swollen tissues
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Problems with mood or sleep
  • Numbness and/or tingling in hands, feet, or back
  • Problems with memory, hearing, and vision
  • Inflammation of the heart, brain

> Link to study showing “nearly 25% of golfers have been diagnosed with Lyme disease”

Building Awareness Through Partnerships

AJGA - American Junior Golf AssociationBay Area Lyme has a partnership with the American Junior Golf Association aimed at educating young golfers about Lyme disease and providing tips for preventing tick bites. We are deeply concerned about young athletes involved in sports such as golf that put them at high risk for Lyme disease and have not been fully educated about ways to prevent tick bites. This partnership with AJGA underscores our commitment to providing education materials to the golf community. Each AJGA member will receive a tick kit which includes a prevention guide, Sawyer Products Picaridin lotion, Tick Tock Naturals organic spray and a Tick Key removal device with instructions on the proper way to remove a tick.

Featured Athlete – Nina Fairbairn

Bay Area Lyme Ambassador and Harvard Women’s Golf Athlete Nina Fairbairn developed this insightful Lyme awareness video for the Harvard University Athletics department. Nina and a fellow Harvard athlete, Cayman, offer important information about Lyme disease, and share their personal experience dealing with the devastations of Lyme disease. We are grateful to the Fairbairn family for gaining the attention of Harvard University about risks of tick-borne disease.

“One Moment” – Harvard University Athletics from Jameson Media on Vimeo.

Professional Players with Lyme Publicly

Awareness Related Publications Published Under Initiative to Date:

 

Coming in 2022

Mountain Biking and Equestrian Programs

 

High Risk Sports for Lyme disease exposure