The cool breeze of the spring air arrives in April and blows until September, bringing beautiful weather and endless possibilities for outdoor fun. While spending time outdoors is good for your physical, mental and emotional health, it comes with risks, including ticks.
Unfortunately, this season is when ticks are most active, and we see more bites and infections. We encourage you to spend time outdoors as it benefits your whole health while considering our tips for staying safe as you enjoy the spring air.
Keep reading to learn what you need to know about tick bites, including symptoms, how to treat and remove them, prevention tips and when to visit your doctor.
How Do Tick Bites Impact Me?
A tick is classified as a parasite, meaning it feeds on warm-blooded hosts, like deer, by biting them. Most tick bites are harmless to humans and cause minimal symptoms. However, some ticks carry bacteria and can spread illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the diseases they can spread include:
- Anaplasmosis
- Babesiosis
- Bourbon virus
- Colorado tick fever
- Ehrlichiosis
- Hard tick relapsing fever
- Heartland virus
- Lyme disease
- Tularemia
It’s important to note that there are many different types of ticks in the U.S. They can vary in size but are typically small and hard to see.
Common Symptoms of Tick Bites
Sometimes, you won’t show immediate symptoms after a tick bites you. However, when you do show symptoms, they include:
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headaches
- Itchiness or irritation
- Muscle pain
- Skin rash
- Tiredness
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important that you visit your doctor for proper treatment. It’s also important to know where to look for tick bites. Common places for bites are in or around your ears, head, under your arms, around your wrists, inside the belly button, between the legs and on the backs of your knees. If you’ve recently taken an adventure outdoors, checking these areas might be a good idea.
Removing and Treating Tick Bites
It’s important that you remove a tick as soon as possible to avoid further transfer of harmful diseases. Remove a tick by using the following steps:
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick as close to the surface of your skin as possible, ensuring you grab the head and mouth parts.
- Pull firmly upward with steady pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking motions. Do not use chemicals or other substances to remove the tick.
- After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite and wash your hands with alcohol or soap and water.
- Never crush a tick in your fingers. Doing so exposes you to the bacteria it’s carrying. Dispose of the live tick by placing it in alcohol or a sealed bag, wrapping it in tape or flushing it down the toilet. Take a photo of the tick to show your doctor for identification.
After removing the tick, monitor signs of symptoms for the next 30 days. If you start noticing symptoms, it’s time to visit your doctor. If you don’t have a primary care provider, find one near you.
How to Prevent Tick Bites
The good news is there are ways to prevent tick bites. It’s best to abide by the following precautions:
- Wear long-sleeved, light-colored clothing. This limits areas for ticks to attach and makes them easier to see.
- Tuck your pants into your socks, shoes or boots so they can’t get under your clothes.
- When traveling in wooded, grassy areas, stay in the middle of the path to avoid tick hot spots like tall grass and trees.
- Spray clothing with multiple layers with products containing 0.5% permethrin to repel them.
- After returning, check yourself and your clothing for ticks. It’s also recommended that you check your pets.
- Place your clothing in the dryer for around 15 minutes after returning, as the heat can kill them.
- Take a shower after you get home and have completed everything else.
Taking these precautions won’t provide complete immunity from a tick bite, but they greatly reduce your chances. A vaccine called TICOVAC, manufactured by Pfizer, is available in the U.S. for everyone aged 1 year and older and is given as a three-dose series.
Your Health Advocates
We know that dealing with tick bites is never fun, but we’re here for you, ready to provide the expert care you deserve. Visit us here to schedule an appointment so you can keep chasing whatever makes you feel whole.
