As the weather warms up and people spend more time outdoors, it’s important to take precautions against tick bites and the illnesses they can carry; like Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, tularemia and ehrlichiosis. Tickborne diseases can cause mild symptoms or severe infections.
“While antibiotics can treat illnesses due to tick bites, it’s best to avoid tick bites altogether by taking some simple precautions,” says Wil Hayes, Director of Environmental Health at Peoria City/County Health Department.
Recommendations to avoid tick bites:
Walk in the center of trails so weeds do not brush against you.
Use repellent that contains 20-30 % DEET on exposed skin.Follow instructions.
Use products that contain permethrin to treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and sleeping tents.Or look for clothing pre-treated with permethrin.
Tuck long pants into socks & boots. Light-colored pants makes ticks easier to see.
In areas where there are ticks, check yourself, children & other family members every two – three hours for ticks (especially ears, hair, neck, legs between the toes).
Check outdoor pets often for ticks. Ticks can “hitch a ride” on pets and into your home. Tick collars, sprays, shampoos, or monthly “top spot” medications help protect pets against ticks.
If you do find a tick, remove it promptly. The best way to remove a tick is to grasp it with fine-point tweezers as close to the skin as possible and gently, but firmly, pull it straight out. Do not twist or jerk the tick. Wash the bite area & your hands thoroughly with soap and water and apply an antiseptic to the bite site.
Within two weeks following a tick bite, if you experience a rash that looks like a bull’s-eye, a rash anywhere on your body, or an unexplained illness accompanied by fever, call your doctor. The most common symptoms of tick-related illnesses can include fever, chills, aches, pains, and rash. Early recognition and treatment of the infection decreases the risk of serious complications.
For important public health information, visit the Peoria City/County Health Department at www.pcchd.org.