It’s summertime—everyone is out and about and having fun. But with the extra time outside comes increased susceptibility to ticks. Tick bites are known for spreading Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that affects about 476,000 Americans each year. Maryland, DC and Virginia are among 16 states that account for about 95 percent of all cases, so it’s important that we understand ways to avoid ticks and identify and prevent the Lyme disease.
Lyme disease usually results in symptoms within the first 30 days of a tick bite. Symptoms can include:
- Bullseye rashes
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Muscle aches
Severe cases can result in long-term conditions, including:
- Bell’s palsy
- Diffuse joint pain
- Heart palpitations
- Meningitis
- Nerve pain
Fortunately, in most cases ticks must be attached to humans for more than 24 hours to 48 hours to spread Lyme disease. Let’s discuss five ways to avoid tick bites and Lyme disease, and what to do if you’re bitten.
Avoid tick bites with these 5 tips.
Preventing Lyme disease starts with being mindful when you’re out and about. If you’re going camping or hiking in grassy or wooded areas, follow these five tips:
- Wear long clothing: Even in the summer, choose long-sleeved shirts and pants to prevent ticks from latching on to your skin.
- Check your body for ticks: Ticks prefer warm, moist areas of the body, such as the armpits, groin, and hair. Remember to check your children, too!
- Heat your clothes in the dryer: As soon as you come inside, put your clothes in the dryer for at least 10 minutes to kill ticks on your clothes.
- Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents: containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. Always follow product instructions. Do not use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. If you are using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second..
- Treat clothes with 0.5% pyrethrin: This synthetic insecticide helps keep ticks and other bugs away.
What to do if you’re bitten.
Most tick bites will not result in Lyme disease. If you see a tick on your skin, remove it as quickly and as completely as possible with fine-tipped tweezers. Clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. If it is a deer tick, was attached less than 24 hours and was not engorged, transmission is less likely. If more than 24 hours or tick is engorged, call your doctor to discuss antibiotic prophylaxis. Antibiotic needs to be started within 72 hours of attachment and deer tick must be present on skin less than 36 hours.
If a red rash or other symptoms mentioned start to arise, call your doctor. Be sure to indicate when you might have been exposed to ticks and when you first noticed the symptoms. The doctor will conduct a thorough history and physical exam.Testing the tick or the patient for Lyme is not recommended as the accuracy of the testing is not a reliable indicator of infection. Your provider will discuss if treatment is needed based on your exposure risk.
Avoiding Lyme disease starts with awareness and taking simple steps to avoid tick bites. Be sure to protect your family this summer and fall when you’re enjoying the great outdoors.
In need of urgent care after a tick bite?
If you need Lyme Disease evaluation or help removing a tick, visit us at MedStar Health Urgent Care.
