Uptick in Tick Bites Calls for Prevention

No one wants to get bit by a tick. The uptick in tick presence on Delmarva should not stop you from enjoying our beautiful state this summer. With over 700 reported Lyme disease cases in Delaware last year, we hope to help you and your family stay safer this summer.

Ticks carry bacteria, viruses, and parasites to steer clear of. As you visit more wooded, grassy areas in the summer, awareness is key to prevention. Specialty-trained Infectious Diseases Clinician, Rafael Ruiz-Gaviria, MD, offers diagnosis, treatment and management of various infectious diseases every day. He offers a few prevention tips and what to do if you happen to find or get bit by a tick.

How do I prevent ticks?

1. Wear light-colored clothing, long sleeves and pants tucked into your socks if you are able. Colorful clothing allows better visibility for ticks on clothing.
   
   
2. Wear EPA-approved DEET up to 50% on your skin, excluding your face and private areas. There is also an option to wear oil of lemon eucalyptus for a more natural approach. You may also apply permethrinn 0.5% to your clothes and gear before wearing them
   
   
3. Perform tick checks in your hair, groin, armpits and other places ticks like to hide. Taking a hot shower after being outside helps as well.
   
   
4. Treat your yard for ticks and if in public wooded areas, stay on the trail away from brush and grass if possible.

What if I find a tick?

1. Don’t be alarmed and stay calm.
   
   
2. Check the size. If it is still small, it is likely not engorged with blood meal yet. If it is large, it could be engorged with blood meal.
   
   
3. Remove the tick. Do not burn it, squeeze it or apply alcohol. Find small tweezers to grab the tick between the mouth and your skin. Pull it steadily and strongly to remove it without squeezing the tick's body.
   
   
4. Be sure to disinfect the area and wash your hands after removal.
   

What do I do after tick removal?

1. If the tick is engorged, see a clinician within 72 hours. You may qualify for an antibiotic to prevent infection.
   
   
2. If the tick is not engorged, monitor the bite site.
   
   
3. Monitor yourself or your child for a target rash around the bite site, joint pain, fever and chills. See a clinician if those symptoms appear.

Ticks thrive in the summer. Please exercise caution with these helpful tips.

Visit Bayhealth.org for more health and wellness tips.