Tick, Tick, Tick!

photo courtesy of cdc.gov

Whether you like to go hiking or camping this time of year, or just walk out into your yard, you or someone in your family is likely to encounter a tick at some point.  These small arachnids are widely distributed worldwide, but they flourish in countries with warm, humid climates.  In the US, tick season is generally April through September.  So, as we get started in tick season, here are a few tidbits to help you prevent tick bites and know how to properly remove a tick.


Prevention:
First, knowing the ideal habitat of ticks can help you avoid these areas altogether or be more cautious when you are in these areas.  Locations with sandy soil, hardwood trees, rivers, and deer are good predictors of dense tick populations.

• When possible, avoid grassy areas and shrubs where ticks may be waiting to hitch a ride.
• Wear light colored clothing, so that ticks can be easily seen and brushed off.
• Tuck your pants into your boots or socks.
• Apply insect repellant to skin or clothing based on label directions.
• Check yourself, others, and pets if exposed to tick areas.

Removing ticks:
So, you find a tick on yourself, your child, or your pet.  How do you get it off?

• Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
• Detach by pulling upward without crushing, jerking, or twisting to avoid leaving behind mouthparts or causing infective fluids to be pushed back into the wound.
• Disinfect the bite area using soap and water or a mild disinfectant. 
• DO NOT try to burn the tick.
• DO NOT try to smother or lubricate the tick with oil, alcohol, or Vaseline.
• Dispose of the tick by flushing down the toilet.  If you want to try to keep it to be inspected by a clinician should symptoms occur, wrap it in a damp paper towel and put in a sealed bag. 

Because ticks are transmitters of various diseases such as Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and ehrlichiosis, to name a few, it is important to remove the tick as soon as possible.    If the tick is newly attached, it will appear flat.  Once the tick has started consuming it's blood meal from you, it becomes engorged.  The longer the tick has been feeding, the greater the potential is for infection.

photo courtesy or mcneill.tamu.edu

Most tick bites go unnoticed.  However, if any of the following symptoms occur, please seek medical care from your physician:

• fever
• numbness
• rash
• confusion
• pain and swelling in joints
• palpitations
• shortness of breath
• nausea and vomiting
• embedded tick head or mouthparts

Ticks require several hosts to complete their life cycle.  Younger ticks will primarily feed on small mammals and birds.  As the tick grows, so does the size of the host.  Spring and summer are the times when you are at greatest risk, so enjoy the beautiful outdoors, but check yourself for any unwanted guests!

chart courtesy of cdc.gov