Ticks are tiny, and you might not even realize when they latch on, yet the illnesses they transmit can seriously affect your health.
Every year, deer ticks are responsible for about 476,000 new cases of Lyme disease in the U.S.. This disease can lead to long-lasting issues with your joints, heart, and nervous system. You might also have heard about the lone star tick, which can cause Alpha Gal syndrome. This condition can make individuals allergic to red meat, along with some vaccines, medications, and gelatin-containing products.
There are several other tick-borne diseases, like the Heartland virus, Powassan virus, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis, all of which can cause serious health issues, and in extreme situations, could even be fatal.
This year has been particularly challenging, with increased emergency room visits for tick bites as we approach summer.
You may wonder how to avoid tick bites, and what preventive strategies are truly effective. I’m the co-director of the Tick-Borne Disease Center at Binghamton University, and here are some common questions my team receives, along with some guidance:
1. Why should I be concerned about ticks, and how can I tell if I’m infected?
Ticks can indeed make you quite ill. Lyme disease and anaplasmosis—both of which deer ticks can transmit—are among the most common tick-borne diseases in the U.S.
Typically, 70% to 80% of those infected with Lyme disease notice a rash resembling a bull’s-eye, along with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, body aches, and fatigue. Antibiotics can treat the infection effectively, but only if addressed promptly.
If Lyme disease goes untreated, it can lead to severe headaches, Bell’s Palsy (facial drooping), intense arthritis, heart issues, and shortness of breath. It’s worth noting that some individuals who receive treatment for acute Lyme disease still face lingering symptoms.
Symptoms of anaplasmosis can mimic those of Lyme disease, including fever, headache, fatigue, and gastrointestinal distress. However, a rash is quite rare with this disease. Severe cases may result in tingling in the extremities and, without treatment, can lead to serious complications like respiratory or kidney failure.
Infections from ticks can bring debilitating fatigue and chronic pain, leaving many unable to work or manage daily activities while battling an illness.
The best approach is to prevent tick bites altogether.
2. How can I keep ticks at bay?
Ticks usually inhabit low areas, often waiting at the tips of grass or vegetation. They are drawn to the heat emitted by your body and the carbon dioxide you exhale, which signals that you are a potential meal.
When you pass by, they latch onto your clothing, shoes, or backpack—a behavior known as “questing.” They might take about 30 minutes to an hour crawling on your skin before biting. Once they bite, their saliva, which can harbor pathogens, enters your bloodstream.
Ticks can be tough to spot. For instance, deer tick sizes can vary from a pinhead as larvae to a poppy seed as nymphs, then scale up to a sesame seed as adults. Interestingly, only 30% to 50% of patients with Lyme disease remember being bitten at all.
Nonetheless, ticks require moisture to thrive, so they particularly flourish in damp environments like forests. To reduce your risk, consider the following:
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Wear long sleeves and pants in areas prone to ticks. They cannot bite through clothing, so reducing skin exposure minimizes your risk of attachment.
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Opt for lighter clothing, making it easier to spot any ticks that cling on.
Additionally, using a tick repellent is advised, but be sure it’s effective against ticks; not all insect sprays are. DEET is one proven repellent that can deter them.
Consider using contact-killing sprays, like Permethrin, which you can apply to clothing and gear. However, it should never go on your skin due to potential side effects. I treat my clothes with it for research in tick-rich areas, and after collecting over 7,500 ticks, I’ve only been bitten once.
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Change clothes post outdoor activities, such as gardening or hiking, and toss them in the dryer on high heat for 20 minutes to kill any unwelcome guests.
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Do tick checks! Finding a tick before it bites poses no risk. Examine your hair, ears, belly button, groin, and places like behind the knees and armpits. Showering after being outdoors also helps in spotting ticks.
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Don’t forget to check your pets for ticks as well! Since transferring diseases takes a bit of time, promptly removing a tick lowers your risk. When hiking with my dog, I keep a lint roller handy to catch any ticks before we get back in the car.
3. How can I reduce ticks in my yard?
Ticks enjoy moist places, so keeping your lawn mowed and maintaining gardens while removing leaf litter can help diminish their habitat.
You might want to create a wood chip buffer between well-maintained areas and wild spaces, preferably using cedar chips. Situating gardens and playsets away from edges of wooded areas also helps limit exposure.
While bird feeders are enjoyable, it helps to position them farther from your home, as they can attract rodents which can harbor tick-transmitting pathogens.
4. What should I do if I discover a tick on me?
First, it’s crucial to remove the tick using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp it as close to your skin as possible and pull upward. Avoid using substances like Vaseline, essential oils, or soap, as these can cause the tick to regurgitate and increase disease risk.
After removing the tick, clean the bite site like you would for any other cut. If possible, keep the tick for identification, as different species can carry different diseases. For instance, the American dog tick doesn’t carry Lyme disease, although it can cause other health concerns.
If you start experiencing any unusual symptoms, it’s best to visit your doctor and mention your tick bite. Many tick-borne diseases share vague symptoms similar to the flu, and not all of them present with identifiable signs like a rash. Your healthcare provider can perform tests to determine the correct treatment approach.
