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'Tick' off pest control, prevent illness

McPherson Sentinel - 5/31/2017

May 31--Finding a tick will make any entomophobe feel sick to their stomach, but the bite itself could be cause for some serious illnesses.

Experts report that conditions this year will yield higher populations of ticks and tick-borne diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights 15 diseases carried by ticks in the U.S., including Lyme disease, that cause fever, chills and various rashes.

"With our unusually warm and dry winter, ticks will be out in record numbers this summer," said Erica Selzer, a physician assistant at McPherson Hospital Urgent Care. "Lyme Disease is rarely transmitted within the first 48 hours, so removing an attached tick as soon as possible is the best bet to avoid infection."

Though the most commonly known tick borne disease, Lyme disease does not often occur in the midwest

"In 2013, 95 percent of Lyme disease cases were reported in 14 states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, new Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin. Cases reported in Kansas reflect the infected person's country of residence, not necessarily the place they were infected," Selzer explained. "I have checked only a small number of patients for suspected Lyme disease and all lab work has been negative. It's just not something that is commonly seen in the middle of Kansas."

Symptoms of Lyme disease include red, ring-like or a target-like rash, as well as flu-like symptoms and enlarged lymph nodes.

In Kansas, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is diagnosed the most often.

"Rocky Mountain spotted fever has an incubation period of two to 14 days. The most common signs and symptoms include fever, severe headache, malaise, muscle aches, light sensitivity," Selzer said. "A rash consisting of small, flat, pink, non-itchy spots initially appearing on wrist, forearms and ankles, usually appears two to five days after onset of fever. The diagnosis is usually confirmed by blood test within the first week of illness with the second sample taken two to four weeks later."

Apart from tick borne diseases, most people will only see an allergic reaction to a tick.

"Allergic reactions (to tick bites) are most commonly seen at McPherson Hospital Urgent Care. Mild allergic reactions typically appear within the first 48 hours of attachment and the surrounding redness is usually less than 5 centimeters in diameter."

Removal

Once ticks latch on, it takes time to transmit diseases, so the sooner the tick is removed, the better.

Selzer recommends using tweezers or forceps, not petroleum jelly, fingernail polish, rubbing alcohol and hot matches, as these methods are simply old wives tales.

"Use tweezers or forceps to grasp tick as close to skin as possible. Pull straight up gently but firmly-don't jerk or twist. Don't squeeze, crush or puncture the body of the tick because its bodily fluids may contain infectious agents," Selzer said. "Wash the attached area thoroughly. If parts of the tick's mouth remain in the skin, leave it alone and the remaining pieces will be expelled spontaneously."

Prevention

Of course, the best way of dealing with ticks it to prevent contact in the first place.

K-State Research and Extension recommends avoiding tall grass and brushy or wooded areas, where ticks normally live. Use a repellent that contains DEET or wear permethrin-treated clothes and treat pets for ticks as well.

When coming home from a potentially tick-infested area, shower as soon as possible and inspect your skin for ticks.

Ticks can ride into the home on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later, so the CDC recommends carefully checking pets, coats, and backpacks. Then, tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks hiding on your clothing.

To avoid infestations in your yard, clip grassy and weedy areas around the house short to expose ticks, or if you have a chronic tick problem, use a chemical pesticide targeting ticks.

K-State Research and Extension offers more information on tick prevention online at https://www.vet.k-state.edu/vhc/docs/ticks-in-kansas.pdf

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