Tips to spot, treat & prevent tick bites & Lyme disease
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 300,000 Americans are diagnosed with Lyme disease every year, with rates expected to climb due in part to climate change.
Since tick bites and Lyme disease are on the rise, we want to make sure our patients have as much information as possible about this common, potentially serious condition.
Tick bites and Lyme disease: What’s the connection?
Ticks are blood-sucking arthropods that feed on humans, dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, deer, and other animals. They are found in many different climates and regions throughout the US. They inhabit woodlands with plenty of shrubbery, tall grass, and weeds.
There are 90 species of ticks in the United States, and fortunately, most are harmless. However, some tick bites can cause allergic reactions, muscular pain, or tickborne diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever or Lyme disease.
One species, known as the deer tick, carries Lyme disease. The deer tick is small, hard-shelled, and reddish-brown. Ninety-five percent of Lyme disease cases occur in just 14 states. The rates of Lyme disease are more prevalent in northeastern and mid-Atlantic states, as well as Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Taking steps to avoid being bit by a tick is the best way to prevent Lyme disease. If you believe a deer tick has bitten you, it is important to know the signs to look out for and what steps you need to take to ensure you get the treatment you need.
Below are our potential life-saving tips on how to identify, treat, and prevent tick bites so you and your family can stay happy and healthy year-round.
What you should know about tick bites
Many ticks are no bigger than one or two millimeters in size. Despite their small size, ticks can pose quite a threat to your skin and health when bitten and not appropriately treated.
They are most active during warmer months (usually April to September). You are most likely to encounter ticks in wooded, grassy areas where they like to hide.
Common types of ticks
Many different kinds of ticks occupy various regions throughout the states. Here are the three most frequently encountered ticks.
American dog tick
The American dog tick, also known as the wood tick, is oval-shaped with brown and red tints. They’re most commonly found in gardens and potted plants during the spring and summer. They inhabit the Central, Southern, and Eastern regions of the US, as well as the Rocky Mountains. If bitten, they can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and another type of bacterial infection called tularemia.
Deer tick
The deer tick, also known as the black-legged tick, has a black-red complexion. The male deer tick measures about 1/16”. The female deer tick is larger, measuring about 1/8”. Found in the springtime, they primarily feed on humans, dogs, white-tailed deer, mice, squirrels, raccoons, birds, and other woodland creatures. They also can transmit anaplasmosis (a bacterial infection), babesiosis (a parasitic disease), and Lyme disease.
Lone star tick
The lone star tick has a reddish complexion whereas the female ticks have a “lone star” or white dot on their backs. They occupy Eastern and Southeastern states. The most irritating among the three, these ticks are notorious for their aggression. Symptoms of a lone star tick bite can include redness and discomfort at the bite area. They are also known for transmitting ehrlichiosis (a flu-like bacterial illness) and the heartland virus.
Prevention tips for tick bites
To protect yourself and your loved ones from tick bites, make sure to use an EPA-registered insect repellent with DEET (diethyltoluamide) and wear long-sleeve clothes. Treat clothing, hiking gear, and camping gear with a product that contains at least 0.5% permethrin.
After spending time outdoors, it’s important to check yourself, your kids, and your pets for ticks, since ticks attached to the skin for less than 36 hours aren’t able to transmit Lyme disease.
If you do find a tick that may have been embedded in your skin for more than 36 hours, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention. A medical provider can safely remove the tick and can prescribe you a one-time dose of an antibiotic that can prevent Lyme disease if taken soon enough after a tick bite.
Recognizing a tick bite
The most obvious sign of a tick bite is that you can visibly see the tick on your skin. This is why it's essential to check your skin after spending time outdoors. If the tick is removed within the first 36 hours the chances of illnesses, such as Lyme disease, is only about 1.4%. It is important to note if the tick was attached to your skin or not as the duration of attachment can be important to assess the possible transmission of Lyme disease. Ticks that are feeding are firmly attached to the skin. A small round tick that is simply crawling around on your skin has started feeding and therefore is not capable of transmitting Lyme. If you remain concerned it is best to have this evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Where to check for ticks
Ticks tend to bite in warm areas of the body, like the armpits, scalp, and groin. Carefully check these areas after being outside. Use a magnifying glass since ticks can be as tiny as a poppy seed.
Check your clothing as well, especially if they have been in contact with long grass or brush. Consider removing your clothes outside the house and shaking them well before bringing them inside, as ticks can hang onto fabric.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction or tick-borne disease
When should you worry about a tick bite? Symptoms of illness or infection from a tick bite are not always immediate, so it is important to monitor for signs and symptoms in the days and weeks following a bite. It is important to seek medical attention if you notice any of these symptoms from a tick bite that may indicate an allergy or illness:
- A red bull’s-eye rash in the area surrounding the bite
- Facial paralysis
- Fatigue
- Fever or chills
- Flu-like symptoms
- Headache or nausea
- Joint pain or swelling
- Redness or irritation surrounding the bite
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Weakness
Because some species of tick can transmit disease or pathogens, immediately removing the tick can minimize the chance of illness.
Managing tick bites at home
Once a tick has been identified on the skin, the proper approach to removing it is extremely important. This can be done by using tick removal tools that can be found in most pharmacies or by using tweezers. Here is how to safely remove a tick from the skin:
- Put on gloves to minimize the spread of bacteria or pathogens.
- Using tweezers or the tick removal tool, grasp the tick firmly as close to the skin as possible. Do not apply too much pressure or the tick can be crushed.
- Use a gentle upward motion to remove the tick from the skin. Do not twist or turn the tick, as this may cause pieces of it to break off and remain in the skin, which can lead to infection.
- Place the tick into a sealed bag or jar in case it needs to be identified later by a physician. By being able to identify the tick, physicians are more able to identify the possible illnesses passed into your or your child.
- Swab the area with rubbing alcohol to remove any remaining bacteria.
Even if you remove the tick on your own, if you begin to show any signs of illness or allergies, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately.
Everything about Lyme disease
Lyme disease occurs in three stages.
Stage 1 is called Early Localized Disease which may include a red, round rash that looks like a bullseye, body aches, fevers, headaches, and joint pain. At this point, the illness has not spread throughout the body. It is the easiest to cure at this point.
Stage 2 is Early Disseminated Lyme disease, which happens a few or months after a tick bite. This is when the bacteria has spread throughout the body. Symptoms may include chills, fever, headaches, and heart problems.
Stage 3 is Late Disseminated Lyme disease, when cardiac or neurological symptoms may begin to occur. If left untreated, symptoms can progress to liver inflammation, cardiac arrhythmias, severe fatigue, and paralysis.
The most important thing to know about Lyme disease is that it is treatable if caught early.
Diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease
A diagnosis of Lyme disease usually involves a healthcare provider evaluating your signs and symptoms after a tick bite, discussing any possible exposure to ticks, and conducting blood tests to find certain antibodies in the blood.
Lyme disease is treatable with antibiotics, especially if caught early. Typically oral antibiotics taken for 10-14 days are enough to treat an early illness, but IV antibiotics may be used as well. The majority of patients make a full recovery once they’ve completed the appropriate course of treatment.
Tick bite treatment at our urgent care centers
At our urgent care centers, our team of highly skilled providers can diagnose all forms of tick-borne infections and provide medication or any treatments needed. Early treatment is essential for preventing further complications from tick bites and we are here to help.
If you need help assessing and treating a tick bite or believe you have symptoms of Lyme disease, visit one of our urgent care centers near you. You can walk in without an appointment, or you can check in online. We’ll have you back to feeling better in no time.
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Written by Sarah Thebarge, Physician Assistant on June 12th 2024