Tick Bites

Prevention and Treatment

Spring has arrived and summer is approaching. Outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, yard clean up, fishing and others have increased as a result of the warmer weather.

This increased outdoor activity means an increased risk of tick bites.

Some ticks transmit bacteria that cause illnesses such as Lyme Disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Deer ticks, common in the Midwest, carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. In the western United States, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is transmitted by the wood tick. Your risk of contracting one of these diseases depends on how much time you spend in wooded areas and how well you protect yourself.

Prevention

Wear long pants and sleeves. When walking in wooded or grassy areas, wear shoes, long pants tucked into your socks, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat and gloves. Choose light colored clothing. Avoid walking through low bushes and tall grass. Hike in the center of trails Keep your dog on a leash.
Use insect repellents. Apply an insect repellent with a 10 to 30 percent concentration of DEET to your skin and clothing. A 10 percent solution of DEET protects for about 2 hours. The stronger the concentration the longer the protection. Read the manufacturer’s label to see how long you’re protected on the product you purchase. Use only the amount needed. Reapply as needed. Don’t use DEET on the hands of young children or on infants younger than 2 months. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention relates oil of lemon eucalyptus, a more natural product, offers the same protection as DEET when used in similar concentrations. Don’t use oil of lemon eucalyptus on children younger than 3 years.
Use permethrin on your clothes. Permethrin, an insecticide, can be applied on clothing (not skin). It kills ticks on contact. It’s in the camping section of stores. Use according to manufacturers instructions. Placing your clothes in the dryer for 30 to 60 minutes on the high heat setting will kill ticks.
Tick proof your yard. Clear brush and leaves where ticks live. Keep woodpiles in sunny areas.
Check yourself, your children and your pets for ticks. Be vigilant after spending time in wooded or grassy areas. Deer ticks are often no bigger than the head of a pin, so you may not discover them unless you search carefully. It’s helpful to shower using a washcloth as soon as you come indoors. Ticks can remain on your skin for hours before attaching. Your pets can carry ticks into your yard or home and should be checked carefully as well.

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Treatment

Remove ticks promptly. It takes several hours for a tick to transmit germs. Remove an attached tick by sliding something under it like a credit card or tick remover. Apply pressure at the point of attachment until the tick releases itself. Use tweezers to grasp the tick near its head or mouth and pull gently to remove the tick without crushing it. Don’t squeeze the ticks belly or use a hot match or chemicals. Squeezing could cause the germs from the tick’s gut to squirt into you, making illness more likely.
If possible, seal the tick in a jar. Your doctor may want to see the tick if you develop signs or symptoms of illness after a bite.
Use soap and water. Wash your hands and the area around the tick bite after handling the tick. Use an antiseptic on the skin.
If you are unable to completely remove the tick. Call your doctor

See your doctor if you develop:

A rash
A fever
A stiff neck
Muscle aches
Joint pain and inflammation
Swollen lymph nodes
Flu-like symptoms
If possible, bring the tick to your doctor’s appointment in a sealed jar.

Call 911 or your local emergency room if you develop:

A severe headache
Difficulty breathing
Paralysis
Chest pain or heart palpitations

Sources

Mayoclinic.com
Lyme Association of Greater Kansas City, Inc
Lyme Disease Association

Other recommended sources

Center for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.org
www.Columbia-Lyme.org
www.LymeDiseaseAssociation.org