May 2008

Reducing your risk of tick-borne diseases

“The school year is over and families have been spending more time outdoors enjoying a backyard barbeque or exploring an area park. It is also a time to be vigilant about checking yourself and family members for ticks,” explains Rose Cantu, RN, Infection Control Nurse at Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital. “Ticks can be found in most of the United States, and may carry serious diseases including anaplasmosis, babesiois, Colorado tick fever, ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, powassan encephalitis, Q fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI), tick-borne relapsing fever, and Tularemia.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lyme disease is the most frequently reported tick-borne illness in the United States. People become infected with Lyme disease through the bit of a black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis or pacificus) that is infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.

Some ticks can transmit more than one pathogen. Three common adults ticks found in the United States are black-legged ticks, lone star ticks, and the American dog tick. The Black-legged tick can transmit anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Lyme disease. Lone star ticks have been linked to ehrlichiosis and Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI). The American dog tick can carry diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.

People of all ages can be infected. There is no vaccine currently available to prevent Lyme disease or most other tick-borne diseases, so early detection and treatment are important. Most tick-borne diseases can be treated successfully. Early detection and treatment can prevent more serious illnesses. Early symptoms of tick-borne diseases may include a fever, headache, fatigue, and rash. See your healthcare provider if you develop these symptoms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourage you to take these steps to reduce your risk of tick bites. Avoid areas with lots of ticks including wooded and bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. Take extra precautions late spring through early fall when ticks that transmit disease are active. Walk in the center of the trail when in the woods or high grass. Ask your local health department and park or extension service about tick infested areas to avoid. Keep ticks off your skin - apply insect repellent with 20% DEET or more on skin and clothing when you go outdoors (for kids too). Don’t spray repellent on skin under clothing. Permethrin sprayed on clothing kills ticks on contact and provides protection through several washings. Don’t use permethrin on skin. Cover up! Wear long pants, long sleeves, and long socks. Light-colored clothing will help you spot ticks more easily. Tucking pant legs into socks or boots and tucking shirts into pants help keep ticks on the outside of clothing.

Perform tick checklist by removing ticks from your clothes before going indoors. Wash you clothing with hot water and dry them using high heat for at least one hour. Check your body and your child’s body for ticks after being outdoors, even in your own yard. Use a mirror to view all parts of your body (in armpits, behind ears, in groin, etc.) and remove any ticks you find.

Early tick removal may reduce the risk of infection of some tick-borne diseases. Follow the steps before to safely remove ticks from animals and humans. Use fine-tipped tweezers and protect bare hands with a tissue or gloves to avoid contact with tick fluids. Grab the tick close to the skin. Do not twist or jerk the tick, as this may cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skins. Gently pull straight up until all parts of the tick are removed. After removing the tick, wash your hands with soap and water or waterless alcohol-based hand rub. Clean the tick bite with an antiseptic such as iodine scrub, rubbing alcohol, or soap and water. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop fever, headache, fatigue, or rash. Use tick medicine or collars on dogs and cats. Check pets regularly for ticks.

Control ticks around your home and in your community by creating tick-safe zones. Many infections happen in your own yard! Remove leaf litter and brush around your home and at the edges of lawns. Place wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas. Mow the lawn and clear brush regularly. Keep playground equipment, decks and patios away from yard edges and trees. Apply pesticide to control ticks. A single application to your lawn at the end of May or beginning of June can reduce Ixodes tick populations by 68-100%.