ADVERTISEMENT TICKS
They’re Everywhere and Carrying Diseases That Can Affect Your Family
Experts first identified Lyme disease, transmitted by the black legged tick, in the 1970s. You’d think we’d know just about all there is to know about it, but scientists are constantly learning more. Recently, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that more than 300,000 people may be infected. Then, news emerged that the pathogen that causes Lyme disease has been found in the heart tissue of several individuals.
by Susan Little
first emerge. You don’t need the antibiotic just because you’ve found a tick attached to your skin. But, if you develop a rash or flu-like symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. More good news— you can help avoid tick bites in the first place by avoiding tick areas and dressing appropriately when outdoors. The CDC recommends just one repellent for use on exposed skin: a DEET-based insect repellent with 20% concentration. You can spray it on pant legs, shoes and socks, too. Always follow label directions. For smaller children, apply repellent to your hands and rub it on their exposed skin. Do tick checks before you come inside. Put clothing in the dryer immediately on HIGH for 20 minutes to kill ticks on clothing. Shower right away and do another tick check. Consider using an insecticide with permethrin to pre-treat clothing. It kills ticks on contact but should NEVER be used on your skin.
Important resources for more information
Lyme disease is found in New England, across the northern states (Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota). It's present along the east coast into southern Virginia. There’s a pocket of it in the far northwestern corner of California.
Many people are aware of Lyme disease, because it’s received the lion’s share of attention among tick- borne illnesses. But it’s not the only one to worry about in the Lyme-burdened states and elsewhere. There are other serious, sometimes deadly, tick-borne infections. Hotspots are North Carolina west to Missouri and farther south. These include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, Southern Tick- Associated Rash Illness (STARI) and others. Three new tick-borne diseases have also been identified in several states.
The bad news is that ticks are practically everywhere—in your yard, in local parks, and play areas, so you don’t have to take a hike or go camping to be exposed to them. More bad news—some carry multiple disease-causing pathogens.
The good news, if there is any, is that healthcare professionals can administer an antibiotic that knocks out all of these diseases if caught when symptoms
The DEET Education Program operates under the auspices of the Consumer Specialty Products Association, Washington, D.C. Susan Little, executive director of CSPA’s Product Ingredient Review Program, is a mother, grandmother and advocate for personal protection in avoiding diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks.
888-NO-BITES or
www.deetonline.org • How to choose and apply DEET-based repellent
• Repellent use on children: The American Academy of Pediatrics guidance— children over the age of two months can use up to 30% concentration DEET-based products
• What tick-borne diseases are in my state? • Symptoms of tick-borne diseases • How to remove a tick once it’s attached
www.cdc.gov/ticks • Tick-borne diseases and symptoms
• When to seek medical attention
• Which repellent to use • Antibiotics for tick-borne disease
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