MAYO CLINIC: Getting ticked off
it harder for ticks to bite. Something as simple as tucking your pants into your socks can help in this regard. When it is hot outside, it may not be comfortable to wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, so that's where the combination of clothing and bug spray come together.
In addition to preventive measures, it's very important to check yourself for ticks after coming in from outdoors. That also holds true for other members of your family, your friends and your pets. You should check yourself as soon as you come inside and periodically during the day if you're going to be outdoors for some time. The longer a tick stays attached to your skin while it's feeding, the greater likelihood there is for transmitting some type of harmful pathogen.
To remove a tick, use forceps or fine-tipped tweezers to pinch the tick at the point where its mouthparts are inserted into the skin. Pull the tick out slowly in one continuous motion. You want to avoid twisting or crushing the tick during this process, since that may increase the risk of getting an infection from the tick. Also avoid home remedies for removing ticks, such as putting nail polish or petroleum jelly on the tick or lighting it on fire.
If you have been exposed to ticks, particularly if you have a known tick bite, closely monitor for symptoms of a tickborne disease, such as rash, flu-like symptoms, fever, fatigue, muscle aches and joint pains. In rare cases, some patients can develop a significant allergy to meat, such as pork, beef or venison, after a tick bite.
A patient that discovers a tick that has been attached for 36 hours or more, or who has any of the symptoms listed above, should see a primary health care professional. Thankfully, there are several tests and new testing algorithms that are available at Mayo Clinic to check for both early- and late-stage disease for all the tickborne diseases in the U.S.
As ticks continue to expand their ranges and move into other parts of the country, it's even more important to take efforts to reduce your risk of tickborne diseases.