Tick Bites: What to Do and How to Avoid Them

When the great outdoors is calling you, it's easy to forget about some of the things that aren't so great about being outside. Out there among the trees and grasses, especially during the months of May and June, you might come in contact with a tick that would like a free ride from you.

Know How to Recognize Ticks
Ticks have eight legs. The deer tick, ranging in size from no bigger than a pencil point to as big as a sesame seed, can be found in the Northeast and the upper Midwest. Infected deer ticks transmit Lyme disease, while another common but larger tick, the dog tick, may transmit other infections. These are just two of the 82 species of ticks found in the U.S.

Removing Ticks
If you do find a tick on you, it's essential to get rid of it as soon as possible. For ticks latched on to you in certain sensitive parts of your body, you might want your doctor to handle the removal. Otherwise follow these steps:

• Using tweezers or other gripping device, grab the tick as close to your skin as possible
• Pull with a steady grip
• Keep the tick intact
• After removal, clean the area and your hands thoroughly
• Save the tick in a covered jar in case you need to show it to the doctor
• Do not use matches, kerosene, or Vaseline to remove the tick

Watch for Symptoms
According to the American Lyme Disease Foundation, Inc., there are 11 major diseases in the U.S. that can result from a tick bite. Although it's unlikely you will develop an infection if the tick is removed soon after it latches on to you, early treatment is important. Be on guard for the increased redness or a bull's eye mark around where the tick bit you -- that can indicate Lyme disease. The American College of Emergency Physicians says other signs of trouble include:

• Fever and/or chills
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Vomiting
• Fatigue

How to Avoid Tick Bites
If you're planning to be out of doors and in a wooded or grassy area, try the following:

• Wear light-colored clothing so you can see ticks if on your clothing
• Wear long sleeve shirts, pants tucked into your socks, and shoes that cover your whole foot
• Use tick repellant (wash off when you get inside)
• Tie back long hair
• Watch contact with plants and be careful when sitting on the ground
• Check your, your child's and your pet's skin, hair, and clothes once inside for the day

Protect Your Future
You don't have to stay inside just because ticks live outside. However, you don't want to suffer the symptoms of a tick bite for months, years, or even permanently. Learn how to identify ticks and remove them properly. Know symptoms of tick-borne illnesses and take precautions to avoid tick bites in the first place. The great outdoors awaits you!