Ticks

A tick is a small insect (bug) that sticks itself to your body. As soon as you see one on yourself, it should be taken off as soon as possible.

Why should I be worried about Ticks?

Most ticks are harmless. Ticks do not live in all areas.

Deer ticks are the size of a sesame seed and the common blacklegged tick is the size of a poppyseed or a period(.). If you can easily see the tick it is probably not a deer tick. Deer ticks can carry a bacterial infection called Lyme disease. Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics. This can stop problems that may develop later, if you are not treated, like arthritis and heart disease.

Symptoms:

First symptom:

Red "bull's- eye " with a White Center around the bite

4 days to 3 weeks later:

• Rash on your chest, back, bum, or arms and legs
• Flu-like symptoms— fever, tiredness, headache, sore muscles, and pain in your joints (wrists, ankles, knees, elbows etc)

Prevention:

Ticks are found in woods and grassy areas from May to November, especially in June and July so you should:

• Walk on cleared paths, if possible
• If you are in an area where there is a chance of a tick sticking to you, try to pull your socks up over the bottom part of your pant legs, wear boots or sneakers, long sleeve shirt or jacket, and a hat. Try to wear clothes that are plain light colors because it makes it easier to see the ticks.
• Use tick repellent containing DEET. DO NOT APPLY ANYTHING TO CHILDREN'S SKIN THAT HAS MORE THAN 10% DEET. Also if you are pregnant you should check with your doctor first. Do not put repellent on a child's hands, because they put their hands in their mouth. Wash the repellent off with soap and water when you go inside to stay.
• If you have been in a high-risk area, you should change your clothes and wash them. Check all over your body for any ticks. Check pets too.

What can I do at home?

• Check regularly for ticks after you have been in the woods. The sooner ticks are removed, the less chance they have of spreading any sicknesses.
• To get rid of a tick, use a pair of tweezers to gently pull the tick straight out.
• You could save the tick in a bottle for tests in case you get symptoms of Lyme disease.
• Wash around the bite area well and put on an antibiotic ointment like Polysporin or Bacitracin.

Return to the Emergency Department or see your doctor IF:

• You can not get all of the tick out.
• The tick has been on you for more than 24 hours and there have been cases of Lyme disease in the area where you were.
• You have any symptoms up to 3 weeks after the tick bite such as: red "bull's eye" rash, fever, tiredness or flu-like symptoms.