Tick Bites and Treatment

A tick is a small insect that fastens itself to the body. A tick should be removed as soon as you discover it.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by deer ticks. Deer ticks are tiny, about the size of the period at the end of this sentence. Therefore, if the tick is large enough to be seen easily, it is probably not a deer tick.

Early symptoms of Lyme disease include a red "bulls eye" rash with a white center around the bite. The rash develops four days to three weeks after the bite. Flu like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and joint pain may also occur. Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics to prevent later symptoms, such as arthritis and heart problems.

Prevention

Wear light colored clothing and tuck pant legs into socks,

Apply an insect repellent containing DEET to exposed areas of skin or to clothing when in tick infested areas. Apply carefully around eyes and mouth.

* Use a lower concentration product on children and pregnant women.

* Don't put repellent on small children's hands, as they often put their hands in their mouths.

* After returning indoors, wash the repellent off with soap and water.

Home Treatment

Check regularly for ticks when you are out in the woods and thoroughly examine your skin and scalp when you return home. Check your pets, too. The sooner ticks are removed, the less likely they are to spread bacteria.

Remove a tick by gently pulling with tweezers, as close to the skin as possible. Pull straight out and try not to crush the body. Save the tick in a jar for tests if symptoms of Lyme disease develop.

Wash the area and apply an antiseptic.

When to Call a Health Professional

If you are unable to remove the entire tick.

In areas where Lyme disease is common, see a doctor if a tick has been attached for more than 24 hours.

If a red "bulls eye" rash, fever, fatigue, or flu like symptoms develop up to three weeks after a tick bite.