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Working in the lawn, walking the dog in the park, or just being outdoors can be risky because of exposure to ticks. When ticks feed on animals, they can acquire diseases including Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Then, ticks can pass the disease on to humans. We need to be aware of the symptoms of these diseases and how to maximize tick bite prevention so we can enjoy the outdoors.

Lyme Disease Symptoms

• Bulls-eye rash: Looks like a bulls eye, with a reddish outer ring and a pale center. Warm to the touch, usually more than 2 inches in diameter. Occurs in 75 percent of those infected with Lyme disease.
• Fever
• Lymph Node Swelling
• Neck Stiffness
• Generalized fatigue
• Headaches
• Migrating joint aches
• Muscle aches

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Symptoms

• Initial symptoms may include: fever, nausea, vomiting, severe headache, muscle pain, lack of appetite.
• Later symptoms include: rash, abdominal pain, joint pain, diarrhea. The three classic symptoms are fever, rash and history of tick bite.

Preventing tick bites:

• Stay out of brushy, overgrown grass and wooded habitats, especially in spring and early summer.
• Remove leaves, tall grass and brush from work areas. This will reduce tick, deer and rodent habitat.
• Apply tick control products to keep the populations under control.
• Wear light colored clothing to more easily see and remove ticks before they attach.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts. Tuck pant legs into sock or boots.
• Wear high boots or enclosed shoes that cover the entire foot.
• Wear a hat.
• Spray insect repellant on exposed skin, excluding the face.
• Shower and wash and dry clothes at a high temperature after outdoor exposure.
• Check your whole body for ticks, especially armpits, groin and pubic areas.

Removing Ticks

A tick usually doesn’t bite until it has been attached to your body for 24 hours. So, if a tick should become attached to you remove it as soon as possible.

• Use tweezers to pull the tick straight away from the skin.
• Grasp the tick by the head with the tweezers.
• Do not twist or jerk ticks, as mouth parts may be left in the skin.
• Do not use a hot match or cigarette to remove a tick. This may cause the tick to burst.
• Avoid touching ticks with bare hands.
• After removing a tick, carefully disinfect the bite site. Wash hands with soap and water.

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health