How to help stay safe as tickborne illnesses increase
Ticks can pack a potentially serious bite. The more time we spend outdoors in tall grass, the higher the risk of contracting a variety of illnesses from those pesky bugs, particularly from April through September.
Unfortunately, tickborne diseases are on the rise. Lyme disease cases were more than 68% higher in 2022 compared to 2017-2019. An increasing variety of ticks in recent years may also increase exposure to disease.
The dangers of ticks
The trouble comes as these tiny critters transfer potentially harmful pathogens when attaching to unknowing victims. The time it takes for a tick to prepare to feed varies from 10 minutes to two hours.
When a tick does attach, it inserts a feeding tube and can suck blood for up to several days, unbeknownst to the host, animal or human. If the tick is carrying a pathogen, the disease could be transferred through its saliva.
Common tickborne diseases in the U.S.
Some of the most common diseases caused by tick-borne pathogens include:
- Lyme disease
- Babesiosis
- Ehrlichiosis
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Anaplasmosis
- Southern Tick-Associated Rash illness
- Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever, and tularemia
Symptoms of a tickborne disease
The most common symptoms of tickborne disease include:
- Fever or chills
- Aches and pains
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Stiff neck or facial paralysis
- Rashes, which can often be distinct depending on the disease
Preventing tick bites
Consider taking precautions when in wooded areas, like using DEET and covering exposed skin as the first step to helping prevent tickborne troubles for you and your family, as well as pets. Knowing where ticks are more likely to live and avoiding those areas can also help.
Where to check for ticks
It’s important to do a complete body and clothing check immediately upon coming in from outside — particularly after visiting wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. Know where to look and do a thorough inspection, especially in:
- Armpits
- Belly button
- Ears
- Hair
- Between legs
- Around the waist
Removing a tick
If you do find a tick on your skin, avoid using petroleum jelly or burning devices, and consider these guidelines to remove the tick:
- Take a fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure – avoid twisting, as this can cause parts of the tick to remain in the skin
- Upon removing the tick, flush it down the toilet — never crush the tick with your finger
- Finish by taking some extra time to clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water
It’s best to help fight back with preventive measures whenever you’re outside. If you or someone in your family is bitten, be sure to watch the wound closely. If rash, swelling or pain occurs, schedule a visit to see your doctor.
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