Ticks are an increasing problem to people and animals in the United States. Ticks are blood-feeders that require an animal host to survive. 

The association between ticks and disease was first established in the late 1800’s when Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever was traced back to tick bites.  The American dog tick, commonly known as the wood tick, is the primary carrier for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, but does not transmit Lyme disease.  

Lyme disease was first recognized in the area of Lyme, Connecticut in 1975, although it had an extensive history in Europe throughout the 20^th century. Today Lyme disease is the leading arthropod borne disease in the U. S., with nearly 24,000 human cases reported to the CDC in 2005.  With the steady increase in the incidence and geographic spread of Lyme disease, there is a need for everyone to learn how to manage the tick problem.

(Image from Centers for Disease Control & Prevention)

The first stage of Lyme disease is considered the early stage. Not everyone infected with Lyme disease bacteria will get sick. Among those who do become ill, the first symptoms resemble the flu.  Symptoms include chills, fever, headache, and fatigue and muscle pain.  Commonly there will be a red rash at the site of the tick bite in the shape of a “bull’s eye.” This circular rash will increase in size over several days.  It is a clinical marker for early disease although it may not always be present. 

Untreated, the infection may spread to other parts of the body within a few days to weeks, producing an array of symptoms including, loss of muscle tone of the face, severe headaches, neck stiffness, shooting pains that interfere with sleep, heart palpitations and dizziness due to changes in heartbeat and also pain that moves from joint to joint. Many of these symptoms will resolve without any treatment.  

After several months, if still left untreated, there may be intermittent bouts of arthritis pain with severe joint pain and swelling. Some may develop chronic neurological symptoms months to years later. 

If treatment is begun early with antibiotics, most cases of Lyme disease can be cured in 3-4 weeks. A small percentage of patients with Lyme disease may have symptoms that last months to years after treatment, including joint pains, arthritis, cognitive defects (memory loss) sleep disturbance or fatigue. 

To help protect yourself from a tick bite, avoid areas that ticks prefer, like wooded bushy areas with high grass and lots of leaf litter. If you do walk in a tick area, walk in the center of the trail to avoid contact with overgrown grass and brush. 

Take extra precautions in May, June and July as this is when ticks that transmit Lyme disease are most active. 

Use insect repellent with 20%-30% DEET on exposed skin. Spray all exposed skin, except do not use on the face. Spray your clothing but don’t spray under your clothes and don’t apply over wounds or irritated skin. Wash repellent off when you go inside. 

Wear light colored clothing (helps spot ticks more easily), long pants, long sleeves and long socks. 

Tucking pant legs into socks or boots and tucking shirts into pants help keep ticks on the outside of clothing. 

Ticks that carry Lyme disease are so small that they are very hard to see. After returning home, remove your clothing and thoroughly inspect all skin surfaces including your scalp. To kill the ticks you might have missed, wash your clothes with hot water and dry them using high heat for at least one hour. 

Perform daily tick checks after being outdoors, even in your own backyard. 

If a tick is attached to your skin for less than 24 hours, your chance of getting Lyme disease is extremely small, but just to be safe, monitor your health closely after a tick bite. 

To remove ticks, put a drop of liquid soap on a cotton ball and cover the tick for 5-10 seconds.  Most ticks will release and work their way back into the ball.  If that doesn’t work, you can grab the ticks head with a pair of tweezers and gradually pull the tick off.  

After the tick is removed, thoroughly wash the bite area and your hands with soap and water.

For more information on Tick-Borne Diseases, download the Ohio Department of Health brochure.