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June Health Tip by Dr. Hahn-Cover

TICK BITES

June is a time that many of us spend more time outdoors.  In mid-Missouri, more time outdoors means more frequent exposures to tick bites.  Often, you can manage a tick bite without contacting your doctor; sometimes, however, a tick bite can lead to illness.   We want to help you understand how to manage tick exposure.

The first goal is to avoid tick bites.  Ticks live on low-lying plants in forested areas.  There are several species of ticks, and each species has preferred animals as hosts (or victims!).  A tick attaches to the host animal when the animal brushes by; ticks cannot jump or fly.  If hiking in wooded areas, staying on well-maintained trails help to reduce the risk of tick bites.  Wearing long pants tucked into socks or closed-toed boots will also help.  Light-colored clothing allows you to see a tick more easily before it can bite.  Insect repellents are helpful.  Repellents containing permethrin may be applied to clothing only; repellents containing DEET may be applied to clothing and skin.

The second goal is early removal of ticks.  Depending on the tick, exposure to bacteria carried by the tick can occur in 2-24 hours.  Examining the skin daily, and after recent exposure to tick-infested areas, may help you to avoid infections.  Careful examination is required, however.  Nymph ticks or “seed ticks” may be no larger than a poppy seed.  If you identify a tick on the skin, use tweezers to grasp the part of the tick closest to the skin.  Pull straight out from the skin, without twisting.  Try to avoid crushing the tick as you remove it from the skin.  Wash the skin with soap and water after removing the tick.  If mouthparts remain, it is not necessary to remove them.  The skin will gradually get rid of the foreign tissue, and the mouthparts alone do not carry infection.

Finally, early identification of tick-related infection is important.  People with vulnerable or “weak” immune systems may be particularly at risk from tick-related infections, if exposed.  People with no functional spleen are also at increased risk from these infections.  The most common tick-related infection in Missouri is ehrlichiosis.  Lyme disease is an uncommon tick-related infection in Missouri.  These infections typically cause symptoms 5 to 14 days after a tick bite.  Fever is the most common symptom; rash may also be present.  Regardless of any known tick bites, if you develop a fever without other obvious symptoms (cough/cold symptoms, etc.) during the late spring and summer months, it is best to make an appointment with your doctor.  You can call us at 573-882-4464.  Be sure to mention any known tick bites or recent travel or outdoor activities. 

Tick-borne infections are usually easy to treat, as long as the illness is caught early.  Better yet, avoid them!  Using the tips above will help.  For more information, you may visit the following web sites.

• Tick Tips Spotlight | CDC DVRD and DVBID
• UpToDate Patient information: What to do after a tick bite
• MedlinePlus: Tick Bites

Kristin Hahn-Cover, MD
Fairview Internal Medicine

For more information:
MU Health Sciences Library