Summer brings sunshine, fresh air, and outdoor adventure, but it also brings ticks. These tiny pests can pose a big health threat. They sometimes carry Lyme disease, which affects nearly half a million people each year in the United States.
Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium transmitted by the bite of infected black-legged ticks (also called deer ticks). Symptoms typically begin within 3–30 days and may include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and a bullseye-shaped rash at the site of the bite. Left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to severe joint pain, nerve problems, and even cognitive difficulties.
The best tick treatment is prevention. Here’s how to stay tick-safe:
- Dress smart: Wear long sleeves and pants, and tuck pants into socks when walking in grassy or wooded areas.
- Use repellents: Apply insect repellent with 20–30% DEET or use clothing treated with permethrin.
- Check yourself and your kids: After being outdoors, do a full-body tick check. Pay close attention to hidden areas such as scalp, behind the ears, knees, and waistbands.
- Shower soon after: Showering within two hours of being outdoors can help wash off unattached ticks.
If you find a tick, remove it immediately using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick by the head, close to your skin and pull straight out. Don’t twist. Wash the bite area and your hands with soap and water.
If symptoms of Lyme appear—especially a rash or flu-like symptoms—contact your doctor. Lyme disease is most often treated successfully with antibiotics, particularly if caught early.
Other tick-borne illnesses, such as anaplasmosis and babesiosis, are also on the rise, so it’s important to stay vigilant. Summer should be about fun and freedom, not fighting infection. Take steps now to protect yourself and your family while enjoying the great outdoors.