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As spring and summer approach and we spend more time outside<\/a>, we also risk encountering ticks. Unfortunately, ticks aren\u2019t just biting insects (technically, they don\u2019t bite -they sting). But they\u2019re also notorious vectors for illnesses like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.\u00a0<\/p>\n Understanding how to prevent tick bites is crucial for staying safe<\/a> during outdoor adventures. Here\u2019s how to steer clear of tick bites and enjoy the great outdoors worry-free.<\/p>\n In a word, yes. At least, they certainly can be! Many of us are aware of the seriousness and widespread epidemic of Lyme disease, which is now more common than breast cancer. While it is possible to contract Lyme in other ways, black-legged ticks are overwhelmingly responsible. Lyme disease comes from spirochete (spiral-shaped) bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi.<\/p>\n Other less common tick-borne infections include spotted fever rickettsiosis (including Rocky Mountain spotted fever), anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. There\u2019s also ehrlichiosis, Colorado tick fever, and tularemia. It\u2019s even possible to get tick-borne encephalitis, aka, brain inflammation.<\/p>\n Many of these infections cause the same symptoms as Lyme disease<\/a>. Although these are less common than Lyme, they\u2019re responsible for several thousand cases of tick-related illness in the United States each year.<\/p>\n Lyme disease can cause a wide variety of symptoms. Some people develop a persistent fever, rashes, or headaches. Others have chronic joint pain and swelling that may be misdiagnosed. Those who are especially sensitive may have allergic reactions to the bacteria. Some may even develop severe or debilitating neurological disorders.\u00a0<\/p>\n Lyme disease is an especially troubling condition because it can be difficult to diagnose. Dr. Jay Davidson explains more in this podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n Cases of tick-borne disease tend to cluster around the northeastern United States. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least one case of Lyme disease has occurred in every state. Check out this map<\/a> of cases reported by the CDC from 1990 through 2021.<\/p>\n Rhode Island, Vermont, and Maine have the highest incidence rate of Lyme cases. Data from 2022 shows an average of about 200 cases per 100,000 persons occurred in those three states. Midwestern states are also experiencing increased cases in recent years.\u00a0<\/p>\n But Lyme isn\u2019t limited to the Northeast and the Midwest. As of 2015, almost half the counties in the United States reported the presence of black-legged ticks. The CDC continues to monitor the upward trend.<\/p>\n Lyme disease is continuing to spread to other states, so be proactive and do what you can to reduce your chances of tick bites. The spring and summer are the highest risk, as ticks are busy hatching and looking for their next meal.\u00a0<\/p>\n Engorged ticks are easy to spot, but some can be as small as a pinhead. They like to hide in warm, moist, covered areas of the body.\u00a0<\/p>\n First, shower off to remove any unattached ticks. Then, carefully inspect for ticks by thoroughly examining the hair and back of the neck, using your fingertips. Here are some other places ticks like to hide out:<\/p>\n Rather than play naturalist, I\u2019ll point you to the best tick identification tool I\u2019ve found. This handy chart<\/a> featuring images of ticks allows you to sort by region, type, maturity stages, feeding stages, and even by the diseases various types of ticks may transmit. The deer tick (black-legged tick) is the main one to look out for, but it\u2019s not the only one that causes problems.<\/p>\n I\u2019ll never forget the day I leaned in to check out a dark spot on my baby\u2019s head, only to find a TICK feasting on her scalp. I wish I could say I remained composed and knew exactly what to do, but that wasn\u2019t the case at all\u2026<\/p>\n After a few more children, I still don\u2019t like dealing with ticks, but I\u2019ve learned what to do when I encounter one. If you\u2019re a seasoned parent or have pets<\/a>, you\u2019ve likely faced this situation before. However, if you haven\u2019t, here\u2019s what to do:<\/p>\n Check to see if the tick is attached.<\/strong> If you spot a small, flat tick crawling on your clothes, skin, or floor, it\u2019s a good sign, as it likely hasn\u2019t bitten anyone or fed recently. However, if you encounter a large tick with a swollen, round body, it\u2019s more concerning as it may have already fed and detached from a pet or person in the home.<\/p>\n If unattached, don\u2019t try to kill it.<\/strong> If the tick is unattached, resist the urge to crush, burn, or destroy it. (It\u2019s hard, I know.) Don\u2019t touch the tick with your bare hands. Instead, use tweezers or a piece of tape to grab it. Put the tick in a sealed plastic bag or small jar in the freezer. This both kills the tick and preserves it for identification if symptoms of Lyme disease develop.<\/p>\n If attached, here\u2019s what to do (and not to do):\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n There are plenty of home remedy solutions for tick removal, but these may do more harm than good. Burning the tick, using essential oils, or greasing it with petroleum jelly<\/a> may sound like good ideas. However, these techniques can irritate the tick, making things worse.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t care about a tick\u2019s feelings, but if the tick is irritated, it can vomit the contents of its stomach (pathogens included!) into the skin. That\u2019s exactly what we don\u2019t want to happen!<\/p>\n For years, the proper tick removal code has been to use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers and pull it straight out. While this can work, it can also leave the tick\u2019s head or mouth-parts embedded in the skin.\u00a0<\/p>\n (Sidenote: I cannot tell you the number of times I\u2019ve felt an invisible tick crawling on me while writing this post!)<\/p>\n Instead, use a tick-removal device like this one<\/a>. It resembles a spork. You insert it between the tick and the skin, then twist gently until the tick releases. I keep one on my keychain during tick season.<\/p>\n Unlike the tweezer method, this device is much more likely to result in a clean removal. The prongs on either side help ensure the tick mouth doesn\u2019t bend too far to the side and snap off while rotating.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have a tick removal tool, use tweezers, but be sure to grab the tick as close to the head\/mouth as possible.<\/p>\n Testing for tick-borne illness in humans is frequently inaccurate<\/a>. The ELISA test typically run by healthcare providers in local clinics often comes back negative when other tests show an infection. In fact, it may miss over half of all Lyme cases. A Western Blot test may be more accurate, but only when interpreted by different standards than the CDC\u2019s.\u00a0<\/p>\n One of the most trusted laboratories for Lyme disease testing is Igenex.. In addition to Lyme, they also screen for other tick-borne illnesses. One example is ehrlichiosis, which targets white blood cells. Another is babesiosis, which affects red blood cells. They also test for infections like anaplasmosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. These co-infections can manifest symptoms similar to Lyme disease.\u00a0<\/p>\n For a more budget-friendly alternative, there\u2019s Vibrant Wellness. While comparable to Igenex, it comes at a lower cost. Vibrant Wellness offers comprehensive Lyme panels. They can detect different borrelia species as well as co-infections common with Lyme disease. These companies allow patients to request a home test or send the tick (dead or alive) to have it tested for infections.\u00a0<\/p>\n Chances are likely that all will be well if the infection is caught early and handled properly. But that said, here\u2019s what to look for:\u00a0<\/p>\n According to the CDC, possible symptoms of a tick-borne infection are:<\/p>\n The bullseye rash doesn\u2019t always occur, so it\u2019s critical to check for other symptoms. Children will sometimes develop tick paralysis, which causes temporary numbness and tingling. For a complete list of symptoms, see the CDC\u2019s tick page<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Dr. Jay Davidson adds that a sore sternum (the bone over the breast) may be another sign of contracting Lyme.<\/p>\n If you suspect tick-related illness, consult with a doctor right away, as early intervention may help. Dr. Davidson recommends taking Ledum palustre<\/a>, a homeopathic remedy, as a natural first aid. Another option is to apply andrographis tincture on the fresh bite to help prevent disease transmission throughout the body.\u00a0<\/p>\n Tick Prevention Is the Best Cure (for Now)<\/strong><\/p>\n You can take some preventative measures to avoid ticks in the first place, reducing your risk of tick- and other insect bites. The options for battling ticks aren\u2019t perfect (especially if you prefer to avoid chemicals, as I do), and I can only hope we have more options for controlling the Lyme outbreak on the horizon.\u00a0<\/p>\n Until then, here are some of the steps we can take today to let our kids go adventuring without worry<\/a>:<\/p>\n It\u2019s probably no surprise that I don\u2019t recommend professional chemical sprays for the yard, even to reduce ticks. While many companies tout this as \u201csafe,\u201d if it kills ticks, it probably isn\u2019t good for your pets or kids, let alone the environment and other harmless bugs in your yard.<\/p>\n There are quite a few logical (and natural) steps to discourage ticks:<\/p>\n Although the EWG (Environmental Working Group) concludes DEET is a reasonably safe<\/a> option at lower concentrations, it\u2019s not recommended for pregnant women or children under six months. Many studies also point to possible side effects from using DEET and other insect repellents like permethrin, including dizziness, headaches, and even seizures.<\/p>\n While I take ticks and the threat of Lyme disease seriously, I favor using natural bug repellents, especially since studies show essential oils like citronella can be as effective as DEET. My natural bug spray<\/a> recipe uses several essential oils shown in studies to repel ticks: geranium, citronella, and lemon eucalyptus.<\/p>\n Natural bug repellent is especially useful (and effective<\/a>) for repelling those tiny nymph ticks you cannot see in a tick check. After all, it\u2019s better to be distasteful to ticks so you don\u2019t get bitten in the first place!<\/p>\n Taking certain herbs as a supplement may help from the inside out. Astragalus <\/a>is an herb from Traditional Chinese Medicine that may help repel ticks while supporting the immune system. Lyme expert Stephen Buhner recommends adults take 1,000 mg of Astragalus daily to ward off ticks.<\/p>\n I know it\u2019s not fun, but, with practice, it becomes a habit. Put a full-length mirror in the bathroom, and\/or teach kids to check themselves and each other. The black-legged tick nymph most often transmits Lyme disease, and it\u2019s only about the size of a poppy seed. This is the most comprehensive list I\u2019ve found for how to conduct a complete tick check<\/a>.<\/p>\n I know it\u2019s not easy to get kids to stop what they\u2019re doing and sit still, so we build it into the routine before lunch, dinner, and bedtime, along with the wash hands\/brush teeth step. This site has a free activity e-book<\/a> for teaching young children how to check for ticks.<\/p>\n Ticks love wooded trails, tall grassy fields, and areas with dense brush.<\/p>\n But I refuse to let ticks spoil our love for hiking, camping, and just being outdoors in the summer. Be smart when hiking and follow these tips for avoiding ticks:<\/p>\n It might seem like a strange family activity, but we keep robes in the mudroom! That way, we can strip off after hiking, throw everything in the dryer, and head right for the showers.<\/p>\n Pets are also susceptible to tick-borne diseases, and it\u2019s often more challenging to locate ticks because of all that fur. Check dogs and cats thoroughly before allowing them in the house. You can also try applying a few drops of geranium essential oil around a dog\u2019s collar but don\u2019t use this method (or any essential oils) on cats.<\/p>\n While these methods can help reduce your risk of tick bites, it\u2019s still important to do regular tick checks, especially during peak tick season (May through August). If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it right away \u2013the right way\u2013 to reduce your risk of tick-borne diseases. If you do develop symptoms, like rash, fever, or muscle aches, seek medical attention immediately.<\/p>\nAre Tick Bites Dangerous?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Where Are Ticks a Problem?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How to Check for Ticks<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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What to Do If You Find a Tick<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How NOT to Remove a Tick<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What to Do Instead: Safe Tick Removal\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How to Remove a Tick<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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How\/Where to Send a Tick For Testing<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Symptoms of Tick-Borne Illness<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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1. Tick-Proof Your Yard<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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2. Use Natural Bug Repellent<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. Check for Ticks Daily<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. Practice Good Hiking Hygiene<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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5. Protect Pets<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n