Tick bite prevention tips to keep you healthy

Spending time outside is fun and good for your mind and body. Outdoor summer activities like hiking, gardening and camping help you stay active and feel better. Of course, warmer weather brings grass and plant growth, which means you need to watch out for ticks.

By learning where ticks live and simple ways to protect yourself, you can still enjoy being outside and lower your chances of getting sick from a tick bite.

What diseases do ticks spread?

Ticks carry and spread illness, so they are more than a nuisance. In Minnesota and Wisconsin, the most common disease associated with tick bites is Lyme disease. Some other tick-borne diseases include:

• Anaplasmosis
• Alpha-gal syndrome
• Ehrlichiosis
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever

What steps can you take to prevent tick bites?

Avoid areas where ticks are found

Your best defense is avoidance: stay on trails or paths during hikes. Ticks hang out in shady wooded areas, tall grass and brush and are just waiting for someone to walk by so they can grab on.

Tumble dry clothing on high heat

Wear light-colored long-sleeved shirts, pants, socks and shoes for the best protection. When you come indoors, put your clothes in the dryer on high heat for at least 20 minutes or, if soiled, wash them in hot water first.

Wear clothing treated with permethrin spray

If you frequently spend time in tick-infested areas, you can either buy clothing that’s already treated with permethrin, or you can spray permethrin on your clothing. This non-toxic chemical kills ticks and usually stays effective through several washings. 

Use bug repellent with DEET

To protect you from ticks for several hours, cover your exposed skin with an insect repellent containing a minimum of 20 to 30 percent DEET. Lower concentrations of DEET protect against pesky mosquitoes and may not provide sufficient protection against ticks.

Treat your yard for ticks

Here are a few ways to create a tick-safe yard that discourages ticks from living around your home:

• Clear tall grass and weeds and mow and rake frequently.
• Lay wood chips or gravel between your lawn and any wooded area to create a barrier.
• Stack firewood neatly in a dry area.
• Keep playground equipment and outdoor furniture in a sunny spot and away from trees.

If you use pesticides, be sure to check the rules and regulations of your neighborhood before spraying and be aware of the environmental impacts.

How should you check for ticks?

Even with precautions, you might still pick up a tick. Routinely check yourself, your family members and pets after being outside to reduce your risk of disease.

Shower and check your body for ticks

Ticks gravitate to warm, hidden areas of the body. Take a shower or bath within two hours of coming inside, then do a full body tick check. Use a mirror for hard-to-see places like your back or have someone else look at areas where ticks are known to bite, including:

• Scalp and hairline
• In and around ears
• Underarms
• Inside the belly button
• Waist and lower back
• Between legs and in the groin area
• Behind knees

Check your pet for ticks

You may have avoided the tick-infested grass, but Fido didn't. Ticks can hitch a ride on your pet and land on you. Consider a tick-prevention treatment or collar and also check pets for ticks after outings, especially around the head, ears and belly.

What should you do if you find a tick?

Removing a tick promptly and properly can reduce your risk of disease. It takes time for a disease to be transmitted. If a tick is removed within 24 hours, your risk is low for the more common tick-related infections, such as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis.

How to remove a tick

If a tick is attached, follow these steps to remove it carefully:

1. Grasp the tick: Use a pair of tweezers to grab it behind the embedded head as close to the skin as possible.
2. Pull upward steadily: Avoid twisting, crushing or squeezing the tick to prevent mouthparts from breaking off. Be careful not to leave the head embedded in the skin.
3. Clean and wash: Use soap and water to clean the area and your hands.
4. Dispose of the tick: Place the tick in rubbing alcohol, seal it in a bag or tape, or flush it down the toilet.

If the tick has been attached for more than 24 hours, your doctor may want to see it. In this case, take a photo of the tick or store it in a sealed plastic bag or container.

What symptoms should you watch for?

Be alert for these signs within days or weeks of a tick bite or time outdoors:

• Rash, sometimes resembling a bullseye, though appearance varies or may not appear at all
• Fever or chills and unexpected onset of illness
• Muscle aches, joint pain or persistent headaches
• Unexplained fatigue
• Swollen lymph nodes

More serious or later symptoms:

• Severe joint pain or swelling
• Facial drooping (Bell’s palsy)
• Heart rhythm changes
• Neurologic symptoms, such as numbness or weakness

When should you seek medical care?

Don't ignore symptoms of tick-borne illness, including rash and infection. Seek medical help within 30 days of a tick bite or if you develop a rash, fever or flu-like symptoms after outdoor activities.

Most tick-borne illnesses, including Lyme disease, respond well to treatment, especially when addressed early. Your provider can assess symptoms, order tests if needed and recommend the best course of care.

These simple steps – prevention, checking for ticks and staying alert to symptoms – will help you enjoy the outdoors with peace of mind and help keep you and your loved ones healthy.