LCHD urging public to protect against tick bites

LINCOLN COUNTY – As warmer weather brings more outdoor activity, the Lincoln County Health Department (LCHD) is encouraging the public to take precautions to prevent tick-borne illnesses.

Ticks are typically most active in Wisconsin from May to November, according to a release from LCHD. Exposure to ticks can occur during hiking, gardening, camping and even in your own backyard.

“Statewide tick bite-associated emergency department (ED) visits are on the rise,” said Lexi Buntrock, LCHD Public Health Promotion and Education Specialist. “The good news is that simple prevention measures and routine tick checks can significantly reduce the risk of tick-borne illnesses and help protect you and your family.”

How to prevent tick bites

By following the steps below, LCHD said, you can help protect you and your family from ticks and the illnesses they carry:

• Use EPA-registered tick repellent (epa.gov/insect-repellents) and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Wear clothing that will help shield you from ticks (think long-sleeved shirts, pants, tall socks – tucking them in to create a “tick barrier”).
• Tumble dry your clothes on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any ticks that may have come in on your clothes after being outdoors.
• Prevent ticks on your pets. Speak with a veterinarian about tick treatment.

Check for ticks after outdoor activities

LCHD said deer ticks are small and may be difficult to find, so tick checks should be done on all parts of the body carefully and thoroughly. They can be as small as poppy seeds.

“Pay special attention to areas such as the head, scalp and body folds (armpits, behind the knees, ears, belly button and between legs),” LCHD stated. “Consider showering within two hours of coming inside. Don’t forget to check your pets for ticks as well, as they can carry ticks into your home.”

What to do if you find a tick

Removing ticks in a timely manner is essential, LCHD said. To properly remove a tick:

• Using a tweezer, grab the tick as close as possible to the skin and pull upwards (away from the skin). Do not twist.
• Clean the bite site and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water after removing the tick.

Folk remedies like Vaseline, nail polish remover or matches are not safe or effective methods of tick removal, according to LCHD. These remedies can irritate the tick, causing it to “spit” bacteria directly into the wound. This can increase the risk of being infected with a tick-borne illness.

“Watch for symptoms,” LCHD said. “Symptoms typically occur anywhere from three days to six weeks after being bitten depending on the type of tick-borne illness and can range from mild to severe.”

Common symptoms may include fever, muscle/joint aches, fatigue, headaches and rash.

“Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms,” LCHD stated.

Submit a tick

The Marshfield Clinic Research Institute (MCRI) is collecting ticks to help track and understand how often people are exposed in the community.

“You can help this research by submitting any ticks you find,” LCHD said.

Free tick collection kits, which include pre-paid return postage, are available for pickup at LCHD, 607 N. Sales St., Ste. 101, Merrill, during business hours. For more information, contact MCRI at 1-715-389-7796 or tics@marshfieldclinic.org.  

To learn more about the different types of diseases spread by ticks, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) website at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/tick/index.htm.