Summer is a great time to walk, hike, garden, camp, and play outside. Unfortunately, it is also an active season for ticks.
“Ticks like to live in brushy, grassy, and wooded areas,” explains Dr. Mary Hope Griffin of Primary Care Partners of South Bend. They may also be found in yards, parks, leaf litter, and on animals, so exposure does not require a trip deep into the woods.
The good news is that a few simple precautions can lower your risk of a tick bite and the illnesses ticks may carry.
Check for ticks after being outside
Perform a full-body tick check after spending time outdoors, especially after walking through tall grass, brush, or wooded areas. Check children carefully, including their hair, behind their ears, under their arms, around the waist, behind the knees, and between their legs.
“The length of time a tick remains attached matters,” Dr. Griffin says. In general, an infected blacklegged tick must remain attached for more than 24 hours to transmit Lyme disease. Indiana health officials note that transmission most often requires approximately 36 to 48 hours. Removing a tick promptly can greatly reduce the risk.
Remove ticks correctly
Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull straight upward using steady, even pressure. Do not twist, jerk, burn, or cover the tick with petroleum jelly. Afterward, wash the bite area and your hands with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
Use the right protection
Long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes can help limit exposed skin. An EPA-registered insect repellent can provide additional protection.
“In general, DEET and picaridin are two ingredients we recommend,” Dr. Griffin says. The EPA’s online repellent tool can help families find products that protect against ticks, mosquitoes, or both. Always read the label, especially when choosing a product for a young child.
Dr. Griffin also offers an easy tip for sunny days: “When you are also wearing sunscreen, apply the sunscreen first and then apply the insect repellent.”
After a tick bite, watch for fever, rash, headache, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pain, or other new symptoms. Contact Primary Care Partners of South Bend by using our patient portal or by calling 574-251-1200 if symptoms develop or if you have questions about whether treatment after a tick bite may be appropriate.
A little prevention can help your family enjoy the outdoors with greater peace of mind.
