As we begin to enjoy the warm weather and long days, the North Shore Shared Public Health Services Program wants to remind you that tick season is in full swing and there are precautions that can be taken in order to prevent your risk of exposure to tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease and Babesiosis.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 1990 to 2012 there have been 37,951 reported cases of confirmed Lyme Disease in Massachusetts. In 2012 alone, the number of confirmed cases was 3,396 - an 88% increase from 2011. Looking more closely at Essex County, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health(DPH) reports that the number of confirmed cases increased from 311 in 2012 to 405 in 2013. Although Lyme Disease is the most common tick-borne disease in this area, there are other diseases that can be spread by ticks in Massachusetts, such as Babesiosis.
Ticks can not fly or jump and typically you will not find them in the middle of your sunny backyard. They can generally be found in shaded wooded areas waiting for a host in low lying grass and shrubs. With that said, if you like to spend time in the woods, live in an area that has a deer population, or have wooded areas near your house you should follow these steps to reduce your risk of exposure:
If you do find a tick on you, removing it as soon as you can may help reduce the chances that it will transmit a disease to you. Follow these steps in order to safely remove a tick:
For more information on Lyme Disease and Babesiosis signs, symptoms and statistics you can visit the www.cdc.gov/lyme/ and www.cdc.gov/parasites/babesiosis/
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 1990 to 2012 there have been 37,951 reported cases of confirmed Lyme Disease in Massachusetts. In 2012 alone, the number of confirmed cases was 3,396 - an 88% increase from 2011. Looking more closely at Essex County, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health(DPH) reports that the number of confirmed cases increased from 311 in 2012 to 405 in 2013. Although Lyme Disease is the most common tick-borne disease in this area, there are other diseases that can be spread by ticks in Massachusetts, such as Babesiosis.
Ticks can not fly or jump and typically you will not find them in the middle of your sunny backyard. They can generally be found in shaded wooded areas waiting for a host in low lying grass and shrubs. With that said, if you like to spend time in the woods, live in an area that has a deer population, or have wooded areas near your house you should follow these steps to reduce your risk of exposure:
- Perform daily tick checks: Ticks will typically hide on back of your knees, around waistbands, armpits or any other constricted place. Be sure to check for ticks in and around the hair, in and around the ears, under the arms, inside the belly button, around the waist and back, between the legs and back of the knees.
- Use repellents: Use repellents that contain 20 to 30% DEET on exposed skin and products that contain .5% Permethrin on clothing. When using repellents, always remember to follow the instructions on the label.
- Stay on pathways and trails: Ticks are commonly found in grassy, brushy or wooded areas. Tramping through areas that are not clear will increase your exposure to ticks.
- When possible, minimize exposed skin by wearing long sleeved shirts and pants tucked into socks. Avoid open shoes or sandals in wooded areas.
- Visit the CDC website for simple landscaping techniques that can reduce tick populations at www.cdc.gov/lyme/prev
If you do find a tick on you, removing it as soon as you can may help reduce the chances that it will transmit a disease to you. Follow these steps in order to safely remove a tick:
- Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to your skin’s surface as possible.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick- this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in your skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. It you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.
- After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.
For more information on Lyme Disease and Babesiosis signs, symptoms and statistics you can visit the www.cdc.gov/lyme/ and www.cdc.gov/parasites/babesiosis/