Full Notification

Nice weather calls for more time spent outdoors, but be aware of the risk of tick bites.

Ticks can carry and transmit a variety of diseases such as Lyme disease. Typical symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.

Keep yourself and your family safe by keeping these tips in mind:

Know where to expect ticks. Blacklegged ticks live in moist and humid environments, particularly in or near wooded or grassy areas. You may come into contact with ticks during outdoor activities around your home or when walking through vegetation such as leaf litter or shrubs. To avoid ticks, walk in the center of trails.

Use a repellent with DEET (on skin or clothing) or permethrin (on clothing and gear). Products containing permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear which can remain protective through several washings. Repellents containing 20% or more DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) can be applied to the skin, and they can protect up to several hours. Always follow product instructions, and keep in mind that parents should carefully apply repellent on children.

Check your body after being outdoors, even in your own yard. With a hand-held or full-length mirror, check these key areas:
• Under the arms
• In and around the ears
• Inside belly button
• Back of the knees
• In and around all head and body hair
• Between the legs
• Around the waist
Check your clothing. Placing clothes into a dryer on high heat effectively kills ticks.

Frequently check your pet's coat for ticks. It may be helpful putting on tick medicine or using a tick collar. Maintain your family pet under a veterinarian's care.

What to Do If You Are Bitten by a Tick
Remove an attached tick using fine-tipped tweezers as soon as you notice it. If a tick is attached to your skin for less than 24 hours, your chance of getting Lyme disease is extremely small. But to be safe, watch for signs and symptoms of Lyme disease. If symptoms develop or if you become ill, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

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