(This article by Genia Greenland, CRNP at Keystone Urgent Care, first appeared in the Public Opinion Newspaper in 2012.)
Planning to be in a wooded area, the park, or even your own back yard? It’s important to protect yourself from ticks. These tiny creatures—
some even as small as the head of a pin—are out looking for their next meal. Ticks carry illnesses that can be passed on to humans when they latch on. These illnesses, such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever to name a few, are sometimes debilitating and can affect a person for years to come. So how can you prevent Lyme disease and what should you do if you think you have been bitten by a tick? Here are some simple tips to consider next time you are outside.
Prevention
The best way to prevent getting Lyme disease is to avoid ticks. Although not all ticks carry disease, reducing exposure can greatly reduce your chance of acquiring a Tick borne illness. Be sure to cover up with long sleeves and pants when in or near fields, tall grass or woods. If possible, use an insect repellant that is specific to Ticks.
Check Yourself
If there’s a chance you have been exposed to Ticks, be sure to check yourself and family members, particularly young children, as soon as possible when returning home. Pay extra attention to the scalp, underarms, groin, waistband, and socks. If you see a tick, remove it promptly. Lyme disease is not often transmitted until the Tick has been attached for 24 hours. If you can remove the Tick before then, your chances of acquiring any disease are slim.
Exposed
If you find a tick on you, remove it immediately. Simply take a pair of fine tip tweezers and grab hold of the Tick as close to your skin as possible. With a steady motion, pull the Tick straight up without twisting. After removal, seek advice from a health care professional to determine if you could have been exposed to Lyme disease or another Tick borne illness. If you have been exposed but have no symptoms, providers can sometimes give you a dose of antibiotics to make sure you do not develop Lyme disease.
Have symptoms?
If you are suffering from extreme fatigue, “bulls eye” rash, muscle pain, fever, chills, joint pain or swollen lymph nodes but you are unsure if you have been bitten by a Tick, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. The sooner you are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease, the better. If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause extensive damage to joints, heart, and the nervous system.
Genia Greenland is a certified registered nurse practitioner at Keystone Urgent Care located at The Cochran Professional Center on Fifth Avenue in Chambersburg. For more information about Keystone Urgent Care, visit www.keystoneurgentcare.org.
