Deer Tick Information

I've been concerned lately with the number of posts I've seen on Facebook about people finding ticks on themselves and their kids. Ticks are very common in Pennsylvania, and they're active from early spring to late fall. Deer ticks can transmit several diseases, including Lyme disease, which is an inflammatory disease that can cause severe symptoms if it's not treated promptly.

Here are some points to remember from the CDC about ticks and Lyme disease transmission:

How to protect yourself and your kids from tick bites:

• Stay away from areas with brush and high grass, including wooded areas.

• Use insect repellent on your skin that contains at least 20% DEET. When applying to your kids, avoid their hands, eyes and mouth.

• When returning home, be sure to shower and then begin to search for ticks that may be crawling on your body. Parents should search their children's bodies everywhere:  under their arms, on their scalp and hair, and between their legs. 

You've found a tick. Now what?

• Don't panic! Ticks must be attached to your body for 3-4 days to be able to transmit Lyme disease.
• Use a set of fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick's body with them and pull upward. Don't twist the tick as you're pulling it off--you don't want the mouth to remain in the skin.
• After removing the tick, clean the bite area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
• If you get a rash or fever a few weeks after removing a tick, go to the doctor.

Remember:

Removing the tick as soon as possible is incredibly important to reduce the transmission of disease. If you are diagnosed with Lyme disease early, antibiotics will help you recover quickly.

For more information about ticks and Lyme disease, visit the CDC's website.