So, as said above, permethrin kills them, it does nothing to repel them. In studies it takes up to an hour to kill all the ticks in a group. That's not quick enough to keep them all from biting you if it's that bad, they'll still die but you got bit. Combine with either DEET or Picardin.
I grew up in an area that was terrible as well. Always tucking all clothing in, everything was treated plus repellent. Lots of people got Lyme. Alpha gal is somewhat newer or seems to be, and would ruin the whole reason I hunt. That one I'm legit scared of.
I'm so glad we don't have ticks here. Mosquitos are terrible, but you can deal with them and at least here, they don't carry disease.