It’s tick season again, something to keep in mind as we spend more time outdoors.
Most areas of Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey are heavily infested by the blacklegged tick, commonly known as the deer tick. There are other ticks that inhabit this area, including the lone star tick, which can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other diseases. Researchers at Penn State University are also seeing different species of ticks appearing in areas never seen before.
Ticks spread disease
A tick bite can be harmless or could infect you with disease. As with mosquitoes and fleas, ticks, known as vectors, spread disease by biting humans and animals.They especially like the white-tailed deer as a host. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. Pennsylvania is ranked second in the country for Lyme disease, which if untreated can have serious consequences. Most people diagnosed with Lyme disease recover completely when treated with a short course of antibiotics, although some can have prolonged symptoms of fatigue, body aches, or difficulty thinking. Our climate is warming Pennsylvania’s climate is becoming warmer and wetter, according to the researchers at Penn State. Ticks become active any time the temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, no matter what the season. A warmer climate means a lot more tick activity, leading to more disease spread.
Just this past April, a Health Advisory was issued after the Pennsylvania Department of Health identified a steady increase in tick-related emergency room visits.
An ounce of prevention
There are steps you can take to minimize your exposure to ticks. First, know they like living in wooded or grassy areas but also are found in suburban backyards. Clean up fallen leaves and other places that ticks inhabit. The state department of health recommends using an insect repellent that contains 20 percent DEET on your skin and products that contain .5 percent permethrin on clothing before spending time where ticks are found. It is helpful to wear light-colored clothing outside so you can spot a tick easier. When you go inside, check your clothing and do a full-body check for ticks. Shower within two hours if possible. Make sure to check your children and pets for ticks as well.
If you are bitten by a tick, the Centers for Disease Control recommend the following: Remove the tick as soon as possible. Using fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull up with even pressure. Clean the bite area and your hands with alcohol or soap and water. Flush the tick down the toilet. If you want to bring the tick to a healthcare provider, place it in rubbing alcohol in a sealed container. Remember, the best way to avoid tick-borne diseases is to not get bitten in the first place.
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