5/11/05

Ticks – Be on the Lookout for Them

Along with the arrival of warmer weather and longer days comes the risks of tick bites and contracting the diseases some ticks carry. Ticks can be found anywhere, from grassy front yards to wooded areas, and the insects can transmit several different diseases – some of which can be fatal. However, steps can be taken to help prevent tick bites and reduce the chance for contracting a tick-transmitted disease.

Before going on an outing, consider using a commercial tick repellent on your clothing. Consider wearing long pants, long-sleeved clothing and a hat; tuck shirts into pants, and tuck pants into long socks. Check skin for ticks after returning from an outing. Or, on longer outings, check for ticks at midday and after the outing is complete. Remember, ticks often embed in hairy locations, such as behind ears and on the scalp.

If a tick is found, remove it by using thin tweezers. Grasp the tick at the place of attachment as close to the skin as possible, and pull gently and slowly away from the skin. To prevent leaving the tick's mouthparts on the skin, do not twist or jerk the tick. After removing the tick, disinfect the bite area. To prevent scratching the tick bite, which could cause a bacterial infection, cover the tick bite with a bandage. Consider saving the tick in a plastic bag or vial in case it is needed for identification later. Label the container with the date of removal and the location on the skin where the tick was found.

Do not use petroleum jelly, fingernail polish, a lit match, rubbing alcohol or other substances to remove a tick. These substances are not effective at tick removal and may cause the tick to regurgitate into the bite wound, increasing the chance for infection.

Some common diseases transmitted by ticks include Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. In addition to these, other tick-transmitted diseases have been found in North Carolina.

Symptoms of tick-transmitted illnesses include flu-like symptoms such as a slight fever, swollen glands and fatigue. Other symptoms include a rash at the bite area, headaches, a stiff neck, stiff or swollen joints, red eyes or jaw discomfort.

If any of these symptoms occur, see a physician. If medical attention is not sought promptly, additional symptoms of a tick-transmitted illness can occur one to three weeks after the initial bite, including dizziness, an irregular heartbeat, weakening of facial muscles and more.

For additional information on ticks and related illnesses, visit the US Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control, Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/index.htm.

Town of Holly Springs - PO Box 8 - 128 South Main Street - Holly Springs, NC 27540 - (919) 552-6221 - Holly.Springs@hollyspringsnc.us