By Sutton Travis
Lexington resident Ellen Douty started a local chapter of the National Capital Lyme Disease Association six years ago for local residents experiencing the disease. Lyme disease, which can be transmitted when an infected tick bites a human and is not removed within 24 hours, can attack any organ in the body. The local NCLDA chapter aims to increase tick awareness and disease prevention in the Rockbridge area. The association advocates prevention strategies such as wearing light-colored clothing and socks outdoors, applying DEET to exposed skin and spraying Permethrin on clothing. And, the group adds, conduct thorough tick checks—particularly around the waistline and under-arm area— whenever returning from garden work, picnics or a hike in woods and fields.