Tick Talk: Warmer weather means it’s time for ticks outside
By Joe Hathaway on Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
EASTERN OREGON — It’s spring in eastern Oregon and as people head outside for work and recreation, there’s something bugging them: ticks.
All types of ticks require blood to survive and complete their life cycle. However, only certain ticks are capable of transmitting diseases to humans. In Oregon, the western black-legged tick, known scientifically as ixodes pacificus, is the species that can spread Lyme disease.
The Oregon Health Authority recommends checking frequently for ticks when you’re outdoors, especially in more hidden places like your hair, ears, and waistband.
It’s a good idea to have tweezers handy to remove ticks gently, reducing harm. Many local health clinics can identify ticks intact, which helps assess the risk of tick-borne diseases. If you’re worried or notice symptoms like a ring-shaped rash, consult your healthcare provider.
While there are medications available for pets to prevent ticks, there aren’t any for humans yet.
5 ways to protect yourself from Lyme disease
There are steps you can take to lower your risk of tick bites and Lyme disease, according to the Center for Disease Control.
Avoid hot spots. Using the CDC’s map as a guide, it’s wise to avoid Lyme disease hot spots, especially in warmer months. If that’s not possible, and you spend extensive time outside in those regions, avoid dense vegetation like tall grasses and leaf litter, environments in which ticks thrive.
Wear protective clothing and tick repellent. During outdoor activities, it’s crucial to wear clothing that covers your skin — even when it’s hot. Tucking your pants into your socks can be an easy and effective way to keep ticks from biting your legs. There are also tick repellents such as Deet, Picaridin and oil of lemon or eucalyptus available at stores.. For an added layer of protection, you can treat clothes and gear with the insecticide permethrin.
Complete thorough tick checks often. Especially after being outdoors, it’s important to scan the entire body for tick bites. Deer ticks are tiny, so the skin inspection must be thorough and close. The insects like to burrow snugly against the skin which makes the groin, armpits, inner elbows, waistband and sock line common areas for them to hide.
If you find a tick, remove it immediately. Ticks take their time setting up shop to feed on your blood, so it generally takes 36 to 48 hours to transmit infection. That means the sooner you remove a tick, the less likely you are to get sick. Still, The CDC advises doing so carefully and with caution — The CDC suggests using tweezers — because crushing or injuring the tick can cause injection of its saliva and make things worse.
Save the tick and see your doctor as soon as possible. After tick removal is complete, put it in a sealable plastic bag and take it to your primary care provider, whom you should see as soon as possible. Most importantly, if you suspect you were bitten — whether or not you found a tick — it’s important to see a doctor. Treatment can help even if days or weeks have passed.
