Arthropod are pests on the trail, especially insects. They potentially cause a number of diseases and discomforts. DEET on the skin and other repellents control some of these and permethrin on clothing can help prevent the attachment of ticks which cause Lyme and other diseases. Lyme disease requires daily examining for the small ticks, removing them and watching for characteristic lesion appearance if there has been attachment for 24 hours. An improved diagnostic test is available.
Antibiotics work well when given early.
An effective vaccine is now available. Other ticks carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever which can be serious if not treated early with antibiotics. Bee stingers should be removed as rapidly as possible to reduce the amount of injected toxin. Treat with local hydrocortisone ointment and oral analgesics for pain. Sensitive patients should carry medically prescribed Epinephrine kits.