BE AWARE OF TICKS

By Connie Hogue, Vice President of Human Resources & Safety

The time has come for all kinds of insects and bugs to make their presence known. The kind we want to be mindful of are ticks. Ticks may be small, but their potential to cause severe health complications is huge.

Ticks attach to your skin and feed off your blood. They carry a wide range of germs, bacteria and parasites, and could potentially cause life-threatening diseases – these are the several reasons why they can be hazardous to people and animals when bitten. The most common disease ticks spread is Lyme disease.

Tick Bites

In most cases, their bites are completely harmless. However, you should take the necessary steps to prevent getting bitten, since it could cause damage to your organs or respiratory system. Ticks can attach themselves to you for up to 10 days, and then they detach and fall off. When you have been exposed for an extended period, tick bites could cause awful side effects, and in severe cases, lead to death.

Here are a few helpful tips on what to do if you experience a tick bite:

• Get a good grip on the tick and gently pull it off with tweezers – be sure to get the head out from underneath your skin.

• Do not crush the tick with your bare hands. If you do this it could expose you to the contagious and harmful germs it is carrying.

• Clean and disinfect the area with rubbing alcohol, warm soap and water.

• Safely get rid of the tick by simply flushing it down the toilet.

Checking For Ticks

Ticks gravitate towards warm and soft parts of your body. You are likely to find them in your hair, on your scalp, neck, legs (especially behind your knees), in your bellybutton, ears, under your arms and even around your waist. It is important that you check these areas often if you have been outside for an extended period. Ticks come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them difficult to see. Remember to be thorough while you search for them.

They also attach themselves to your pets, so make sure you check their skin and fur often.

Be on the lookout for these warning signs:

• Rash (bullseye shaped)

• Itchiness & swelling

• Fever & chills

• Muscle pain

• Dizziness

• Tiredness

• Shortness of breath

• Headaches

• Nausea & diarrhea

Seek medical attention right away if you notice any of these tick-borne symptoms within 30 days of a tick bite. The CDC suggests you take antibiotics to lower your chances of catching a tick-borne illness.

Protecting Yourself From Ticks

There are multiple ways for you to protect yourself from ticks. One of them is to wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and jeans. Wearing light colored clothing tends to keep the ticks at bay. Wear proper footwear to prevent ticks from crawling up your legs when you work outside, hike in the woods, or walk in areas with tall grass. Be sure to change your clothes and shower as soon as you get home from being outdoors. Another helpful way to prevent ticks from attaching themselves to you, is by using an effective insect repellent.

It is helpful to know the common ticks that are native to American Dog Tick – Found in grassy areas along roads and paths, particularly next to the woods and shrubby habitats.

Blacklegged Tick – Known as the Deer Tick, dwells in forested areas and feeds on large mammals, most commonly the white-tailed deer.

Lone Star Tick – Lurk in the shadows in the woods and areas with tall grass and are known to be more aggressive than other tick species.

Now that you know where to look for ticks, how to treat targeted areas and symptoms that may occur, you can keep yourself, your family and your pets safe.