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Lyme Disease
Ticks have a way of "creeping" into homes, courtesy of the
family pet or the laundry hanging on the line. And as we spend more time
outdoors, these creatures may hop directly on us, in search of a meal.
Most people know by now that a certain kind of tick (most commonly known
as the deer tick) can carry a germ that causes Lyme Disease. There are
also two other tick-related diseases that have been occurring more
frequently within this health district territory. They are Ehrlichiosis
and Babesiosis.
WHICH TICKS?
It is important to remember that not all deer ticks carry the germ
that causes disease. Furthermore, in order to contract a disease from a
tick, it must be: A) infected with the germ B) attached to a person for
at least 24 hours and C) consume a blood meal in order for the germ
to be passed into your body. Research has found that the sooner you
remove an attached tick, the less likely you will become infected with
Lyme Disease. (Tick Management Handbook, CT Agricultural Experiment
Station, 2004, reports that the probability of transmission of the germs
that cause Lyme Disease increases the longer an infected tick is
attached as follows: 0% at 24 hours; 12% at 48 hours; 79% at 72 hours;
and 94% at 96 hours.)
With those facts in mind, is the presence of a deer tick on your body
(or an actual bite) cause for panic and alarm? The answer is no. Is the
presence of a deer tick a reason to ask for antibiotics? Again, the
answer depends on whether the tick was engorged. If the tick is not
engorged then the most prudent thing to do is to watch for early
symptoms and seek prompt medical care, should any occur. If the tick
was engorged, you should speak with your doctor about consideration for
prophylactic treatment (treatment before becoming ill.)
TICK TESTING
Ticks can be tested for the presence of the germ, but this will not
tell you if the germ passed into your body. The CT Agricultural Station
will identify for type all ticks and test only "deer" (Ixodes scapularis)
ticks that are engorged with human blood. (The Ag Station will determine
what ticks merit testing.) Before you can take a tick to the Ag Station,
you must get a referral form from QVHD. The best way to submit a tick is
in a small plastic zipper-locking bag or clear plastic vial with a
tight-fitting lid. Do not use alchohol or other preservatives. Also
avoid film canisters, glass containers, ticks mounted on slides or ticks
under cellophane tape.
FOLLOWING A TICK BITE, BE OBSERVANT FOR SYMPTOMS.
While not everyone will get classic or all of these symptoms, most
people get some indication of symptoms or illness.
For Lyme Disease, watch for:
- A rash, which starts as a small spot at the site of the bite,
than expands to cover a good size area. It may have a bulls-eye
appearance. The key is that it expands gradually over a few days. It
is not the red spot at the sight of the bite. There may be
more than one of these rash areas. A Lyme Disease rash may look like
a giant sore with elevated areas or it may be flat and look like a
slap. It differs from a heat rash or a rash like chicken pox in that
it is not a small, spotted rash. It is generally not painful or
itchy, which is why it can go unnoticed.
- Flu-like symptoms accompanied by a low-grade fever.
- Pain in the muscles and joints, especially the knees.
For Babesiosis can be severe and life-threatening. Watch for:
- Non-specific flu-like symptoms, 1-3 weeks following a bite.
- Fatigue, especially if it occurs with a documented anemia.
Ehrlichiosis can be mild to severe and life-threatening. Watch
for:
- Most common symptoms are fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle
aches.
- Gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting and
diarrhea.
Symptoms of other tick-caused illnesses can include fever and
malaise, but most often do not have rashes. Different tickborne
illnesses can occur together, which can increase the severity of the
illness and extend the length of time.
PREVENTION -
PERSONAL PROTECTION
- Use an insect repellant (according to the directions) containing
DEET (10-15% repels mosquitoes, 20-40%* repels ticks.) *Percent
varies according to different sources of information. For
information on repellents, visit
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/insect_repellent.htm#proper
- Use a tick repellant on your pets.
- Do a daily body check, especially in the folds of skin or warm,
dark areas. Remove promptly any ticks found during a tick check.
These may be the most important actions you can take for prevention!
- Avoid tall grassy or wooded areas, if possible long-sleeved
shirts or long pants tucked into socks may help, if weather
conditions allow.
- A product called Permethrin can be used on clothing. It kills
ticks on contact. It can be purchased at outdoor equipment stores.
It should never be used on the skin!
- There is an insecticide that can be sprayed on your yard. It is
called acaricide. Applied correctly and at the right time, it can
drastically reduce tick populations. There are also new products on
the market called bait boxes, which contain acaricide that is
tranmitted to rodents and will kill ticks, but not the rodent. You
can discuss these types of products with a licensed pest control
agent.
REMOVING A TICK
- Use a tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as
possible.
- Pull the tick straight upward with steady, even pressure. Try
not to yank it out.
- Commercial products used to extract ticks vary in their ability
to successfully remove ticks. The following products have been shown
to have good success: #4 forceps, Tick Kit, Inc., Pick-Tick,
Pro-Tick Remedy and the Nick Nipper.
- Wash the area with soap and water, dry, and apply a topical
antiseptic.
- Note the site and date of the bite.
- Watch for early signs or symptoms of illness. Discuss
prophylactic treatment (treatment before you are ill) with your
doctor if the tick was engorged.
- Squeezing ticks will not increase the chance of infection. The
breaking off of mouthparts will not increase the chances of getting
Lyme Disease.
- Other methods of tick removal, such as hot matches, petroleum
jelly, gasoline or other chemicals, are not effective means for
removal.
LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT
There are some actions you can take to make your yard "tick-safer."
- Keep the grass mowed.
- Remove leaf litter, brush and tall weeds from around the home
and at the lawn's edge.
- Use plantings that do not attract deer. You may even consider
deer fencing if deer are a big problem.
- Move firewood, birdhouses and feeders away from the home.
- Create a 3-foot or wider barrier between your lawn and the
woods.
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has an excellent
resource available on line that discusses tick management for yards. You
can access it
here:
DON'T FORGET THE PETS
Dogs and cats that go outside are going to become vehicles for tick
transportation, which will increase your chances of getting a tick bite.
Check your pets daily for ticks. Use pet-safe tick repellents. Consult
with your veterinarian for suitable products.
For more information on Lyme disease, go to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention website,
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/ld_prevent.htm
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