Tick Prevention

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, we are talking about tick prevention!

Ticks are tiny arthropods that feed on blood, and they can carry diseases that affect humans and animals. Ticks are found worldwide in humid, wooded, or brushy areas, typically clinging to tall grass, shrubs, and leaf litter while waiting for a host. They are common in residential yards, especially near woods, and are active during spring, summer, and fall.

In the U.S., the most common tick-borne illness is Lyme disease.  Early symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and some develop a rash that may be bull’s-eye shaped. Other tickborne illnesses include anaplasmosis, Powassan virus, and babesiosis.

The best way to stay safe from tickborne illness is following prevention steps. When you’re outdoors, wear long sleeves and long pants, and tuck your pants into your socks to keep ticks from reaching your skin. You can also use insect repellents with DEET on your skin or permethrin on your clothes. After spending time outside, check your entire body for ticks—especially your scalp, behind your ears, under your arms, and behind your knees. Showering soon after coming inside can help wash off ticks before they attach.

If you do find a tick on your body, remove it as soon as possible. Do not wait to go to a healthcare provider to remove the tick. Use fine-tipped tweezers, grab the tick close to your skin, and slowly pull it straight out. Do not use petroleum jelly, heat, nail polish, or other substances to try and make the tick detach from the skin.

After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or hand sanitizer.  The longer a tick stays attached to your body, the higher the chance it can potentially spread disease.

After a tick bite, if you develop a rash or fever within several weeks of removing a tick, see your doctor. Tell the doctor about your recent tick bite, when the bite occurred, and where you most likely acquired the tick. The good news is that most tick-borne diseases can be treated effectively with antibiotics if caught early.

Overall, remember: protect yourself when outdoors, check for ticks after coming inside, remove them quickly, and get medical advice if you start to notice symptoms.

People who have removed a tick sometimes wonder if they should have it tested to see if it is infected. You can bring the tick to your local health department for testing through the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Bring the tick in in a crush proof container (or sealed plastic bag) to our office at 165 Miller Street. Do not place the tick on tape, do not pack the tick in any solution, and do not package the tick with anything else, such as paper towels, cotton, plant pieces, bandages, or other materials. Staff will send it out to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station to be identified and tested for common tick-borne illnesses as a public service free of charge. Please note only ticks that are found on humans will be tested.

For more information on tick borne illness, please visit www.meridenhealth.com or call (203) 630-4226. Information on tick borne illnesses - and other summer safety topics - will be on our info table at 165 Miller Street throughout the summer.