Ticks are very aggressive this year on Long Island. Learn about them. Here is all you need to know.
- homelesslongisland
- May 11
- 2 min read
Updated: May 12
Here’s a comprehensive overview about ticks, including Lyme disease, prevention, and what to do if you find a tick on yourself:
Understanding Ticks and Lyme Disease
1. What are Ticks?
- Ticks are small arachnids that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians.
- They can transmit various diseases, including Lyme disease, which is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.
2. Lyme Disease
- Transmission: Lyme disease is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected black-legged tick (also known as a deer tick).
- Symptoms: Early symptoms include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes. A characteristic rash (often a "bull's-eye" pattern) may appear.
Frequency of Checking for Lyme Disease
- After Potential Exposure: If you have been in wooded or grassy areas, it’s advisable to check for ticks daily, especially in tick season (spring and summer).
- Monitoring for Symptoms: If you find a tick attached, monitor for any Lyme disease symptoms for at least 30 days after exposure. If symptoms develop, seek medical attention immediately.
Tick Bite Prevention
1. Protective Clothing:
- Wear long sleeves and long pants when in wooded areas. Tuck pants into socks.
- Choose light-colored clothing to easily spot ticks.
2. Use Repellents:
- Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin.
- Treat clothing and gear with permethrin, an insect repellent specifically for fabrics.
3. Avoiding Tick Habitats:
- Stick to the center of trails when walking in grassy or wooded areas.
- Avoid brushing up against tall grass, bushes, or leaf litter.
What to Do if You Find a Tick on Yourself
1. Removal:
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to your skin’s surface as possible.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause parts of the tick to break off and remain in your skin.
- Clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
2. Monitor Your Health:
- Keep an eye on the bite area for any signs of rash or infection.
- Look for symptoms of Lyme disease within the first few weeks after removal.
3. Seek Medical Attention:
- If you develop fever, rash, or flu-like symptoms, see a healthcare provider. Inform them about the tick bite and the date of removal.
More details about what to do if you have an active tick bite. Click here.
How ticks attach to your body: click here
Resources and Assistance
- Local Health Services: Access free or low-cost healthcare services in your area that can provide assistance with tick-related health concerns.
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