Ticked Off
But don't let the dangers keep you inside
Toolbox
Darren Marcy - Published: June 28, 2009
Finding a tick embedded neck-deep in your skin is never fun. But more than just an annoyance, a tick bite can prove to be a serious health risk. The dangers of contracting Lyme disease are real, with more cases of the ailment diagnosed every year.
The spread of the black-legged or deer tick, which can carry the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, could be related to global warming. Some experts believe the gradual northward progression shows a warming tendency that is creating a more hospitable climate for the tick.
One thing is certain — there have been more ticks in northern New England and more cases of Lyme disease diagnosed each year. Health officials in Vermont report that the number of cases of Lyme disease has risen significantly. The trend is at least partly due to an increase in the number of ticks carrying the bacterium that causes Lyme disease.
But there is also a greater degree of hypersensitivity to the dangers of Lyme disease. More parents are examining themselves and their children every day — particularly after an outdoor adventure into tick country. Some experts say that knowledge has also resulted in a higher number of reported cases. More doctors are checking for the disease as part of routine screenings when the symptoms match, and people are more aware of what those symptoms are.
Undoubtedly these are all contributing factors to the higher incidence of Lyme disease. In any case, prevention is critical. Fortunately, not everybody who gets a tick bite will contract Lyme disease. And people can take precautions to reduce their chances of being infected with the illness.
A person contracts Lyme disease after being bitten by a tick that carries the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Quickly removing the tick from the body reduces the chance that the pathogen will be conveyed to the person. It takes 24 hours or more for the disease to be transmitted as the tick feeds. So if the tick is removed the same day it attaches, the odds improve that you won't contract the illness or suffer any ill consequences, according to health officials.
The best way to remove a tick is to grab the head of the tick with tweezers and slowly pull it out, without twisting. Twisting can force more bacteria to be passed from the tick into your body. For the same reason, it's not a good idea to crush or irritate the tick by using heat or chemicals to take it off.
After the tick body has been removed, Lyme disease can no longer be transmitted — even if the mouthparts break off and remain in the skin. In any case, it's important to treat the bite site with an antibacterial cream.
Unfortunately, just like wearing sunscreen to protect against the sun's harmful rays, using bug repellent to help keep ticks away is necessary for anyone who will be spending much time outdoors. And it's not only die-hard outdoor enthusiasts who should be taking precautions. Ticks can live just about anywhere, but woody and bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter on the ground are prime tick areas. And typically the peak season for ticks is during the months of June and July.
Preventing a tick bite in the first place is the best way to avoid problems. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and tall socks. Tuck your pant legs into the socks to prevent ticks from crawling up your legs.
Consider using an insect repellent that contains high percentages of DEET or Permethrin, another insecticide. DEET-based products can be — and should be — applied directly to the skin, as well as the clothing. But Permethrin-based repellents should only be applied to the clothing, and clothing should be allowed to dry completely before wearing. On children, use lower concentrations of DEET — no more than 30 percent. Be sure to read the label carefully and follow directions closely. Natural-based products are available to repel ticks, although they may not be as effective. Still, they are better than nothing and safer for children.
Be aware of where ticks are most likely to occur outdoors and modify the landscape to make it less habitable for them. The deer tick thrives in moist, wooded areas and dies in places that are sunny and dry. Clear out leaf litter, tall grasses and brush around homes and at the edges of lawns. Keep the lawn mowed, and locate playground equipment, decks and patios away from wooded or brushy areas. If possible, keep your dogs and cats out of the woods and check them carefully for ticks so they don't bring them into your home (and onto you).
Despite our best efforts, ticks will get us. Finding the tick and removing it in a timely manner is key. Ticks usually go unnoticed at the time of the bite, and spotting one after it has attached itself on your body isn't always easy. The deer tick may not be much larger than the period at the end of this sentence. And ticks are masters at hiding. They search out warm, moist places, and they also tend to bury themselves in hair-covered places. So it's especially important to check the armpits, groin area, between the toes, behind the knees and in and around the hair on the head. Even the inside of the belly button should be scrutinized.
Check yourself and your family members frequently for ticks. Some families have created a routine as regular as bath time or bedtime where they go over their kids' bodies from head to toe.
There are more stories about ticks this season than in years past — but that's no reason to stay indoors. Summer is too short, and New England is too beautiful. Just take some precautions, then get out and enjoy summer.
Darren Marcy is a local outdoor enthusiast. His Web site is www.DarrenMarcy.com. E-mail him at darren@darrenmarcy.com.
ON THE NET
Stop ticks, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
cdc.gov/Features/StopTicks/
Lyme disease in Vermont
http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/lyme/lyme disease.aspx
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