Tick Borne Illnesses

Tick key

What You Need to Know

  • Wear an EPA registered insect repellent
  • Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin 
  • Check for ticks often
  • Shower soon after being out doors 
  • Put clothing in the dryer for 10 minutes after being outdoors to kill ticks

 

  • Check your clothing and body for ticks after being outdoors

The most common symptoms of tick-related illnesses include:

Your healthcare provider should evaluate the following before deciding on a plan for treatment:

  • Your symptoms,
  • the geographic region where you were bitten, and
  • lab tests, depending on the symptoms and the geographic region where you were bitten.

 

what to do after removing a tick

  1. Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
  2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you cannot remove the mouth easily with tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.
  3. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
  4. Never crush a tick with your fingers. Dispose of a live tick by
    • Putting it in alcohol,
    • Placing it in a sealed bag/container,
    • Wrapping it tightly in tape, or
    • Flushing it down the toilet.

how to remove a tick

Healthcare Professionals Information