The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
A tick in time saves Lyme
Once I heard a joke that went something like, “People who can’t tell the difference between entomology and etymology bug me in ways I can’t put into words.”
As a university professor and the parent of teenagers, I increasingly find myself asking for clarification about words that were not a common part of my upbringing as a member of Generation X.
Bet! (An enthusiastic yes!)
Bussin’! (It is very good!)
Not long ago, I brought one of my students to the annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Entomology is a field of biology concerned with the scientific study of insects and other small arthropods such as spiders and mites. The student who accompanied me to the conference attended to present the results of undergraduate research she conducted in the WCSU Tick Lab, a program that I oversee and that focuses on preventing tick bites and reducing risk for tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease.
One evening after a long day attending meeting symposia, a group of us sat around a small table at our crowded hotel restaurant, exhausted and a bit punchy. Over the din of noisy patrons, my student asked a colleague to clarify what it means when someone says they are “burning the candle at both ends.” Over my plate of French fries, I wondered aloud if the student could help me better understand the vernacular of my 16-year-old son.
Cap! (You’re lying!)
Nice drip. (I like your outfit.) Entomologists’ subfields are as diverse as the exoskeleton-covered organisms that populate our planet. For example, there are coleopterists who study different types of beetles, and lepidopterists who are focused on moths. There are structural urban entomologists tackling troublesome termites, and agricultural entomologists protecting plants from problem pests. Public health entomologists like me think about biting organisms that spread germs and make people sick. Yet regardless of one’s particular specialty, every entomologist has at some point been mistaken for a similar-sounding yet very different type of scholar.
You’re an entomologist? Studying words must be so interesting!
Once I heard a joke that went something like, “People who can’t tell the difference between entomology and etymology bug me in ways I can’t put into words.” Now I think that is a funny joke, but the truth is that even though I don’t study their origins, I love thinking about words and the power they can have when strung together just so. I enjoy going over the SAT vocabulary flashcards that often sit atop our family’s dinner table. I cannot resist a pun. I mourn the ever-dwindling use of adverbs (deeply). I appreciate the well-timed use of pithy slang. And I can’t deny the wisdom of common proverbs that have been woven into the fabric of our daily lives.
A penny saved is a penny earned.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Haste makes waste!
May is Lyme disease awareness month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 476,000 cases of Lyme disease will be diagnosed this year. Although some cases of Lyme disease are mild, people with late-stage illness can suffer debilitating arthritis, adverse neurological effects, or severe heartrelated issues. In the northeastern United States, most Lyme disease cases will result from an encounter with a blacklegged tick in one’s own backyard.
There has been a lot of public discourse about the best diagnostic test and treatment for Lyme disease. Yet much less attention is paid to preventing tick bites that make people sick in the first place. Sadly, studies have shown that the people most likely to conduct preventative behaviors are those who already had Lyme disease or have had a sick family member. Why wait until someone gets sick to start thinking about tick prevention? Carpe diem!
Not sure where to start? Perhaps it’s time to listen to some of the wise old adages of our youth.
Better safe than sorry: Planning to spend time outside? Assume you are at risk for a tick bite and act accordingly. Whether you’re in your backyard, on a sports field, or out hiking, it’s a good idea to inspect your body regularly. Wear repellent when possible. Bathe daily to wash off crawling ticks and to find any that have attached. The sooner you can remove a tick, the less likely it is to transmit germs.
All that glitters is not gold:With so many products available, it can be hard to know what to choose when it comes to choosing a repellent or backyard tick control product. Look for a product with a label that specifically lists ticks as a target and that also has an EPA registration number. The EPA registration process requires manufacturers to provide data about both safety and efficacy. Some products labeled as “all-natural” may contain ingredients that are indeed safe but the formulation hasn’t been tested. We need more testing of unevaluated products but until then, buyer beware!
A picture is worth a thousand words: If you find a tick, remove it as soon as possible with a pair of pointy tweezers. Don’t throw the tick away! You can take a photo and share it with TickSpotters scientists at the University of Rhode Island where experts can help assess your risk for free. Depending on where you live, you may also be able to send your tick for free testing by your state. Check with your local health department for details.
There is no time like the present to include tick prevention in your daily routine.