If you’re looking to enjoy the outdoors in one of the largest Mass State Parks, don’t let Lyme disease prevent you!

Enjoy the Blue Hills and all other Mass state parks and Take Steps to Protect Yourself From Lyme Disease

Elaine Kerrigan used to love hiking the Blue Hills and other Mass state parks.

A Weymouth-native, Elaine, who lived her whole life just 10 minutes away from the Blue Hills, didn’t start exploring the Blue Hills or other Mass state parks until she was in her thirties.  She always enjoyed exercising outdoors, so when she discovered how much fun she found hiking and cross-country skiing, the Blue Hills soon became one of her favorite Mass state parks.  She loved exploring different parts of the Blue Hills with her friends, starting at a different trailhead, exploring the Blue dot trail one day and Red dot the next.

That was before she contracted Lyme disease from a tick while hiking the Blue Hills last October.  Whether she was at the Blue Hills or any of the other Mass state parks, she was always careful to avoid tick bites by wearing long pants, covering her arms with long sleeves, donning a hat and checking herself after her many walks.  But one day she found herself unable to leave her bed, with excruciating headaches and joints too painful to move.  She eventually she found the tell-tale bulls eye red mark that surrounds the bite of an infected tick bite and her doctor agreed to give her antibiotics that healed her.

Now she could go back to the Blue Hills and other Mass state parks.  She’s back to her regular activities, but she’s reluctant to return to the Blue Hills and other Mass state parks.  She’s concerned about getting so sick again.  Knowing she couldn’t help control Lyme disease by herself, she contacted the Friends of the Blue Hills.  She then discovered that she’s not alone.  Many people who visit the Blue Hills and other Mass state parks want to protect themselves and their families from Lyme disease and its potentially devastating effects.

The Friends of the Blue Hills is committed to helping reducing the risk of Lyme disease so that all visitors feel comfortable exploring the Blue Hills and all Mass state parks.

What you can do to protect yourself from ticks in the Blue Hills and other Mass state parks while hiking in MA?