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Removing a Tick and Recognizing Lyme Disease

Removing a tick

Removing a Tick and Recognizing Lyme Disease

Ticks have received a lot of attention over the past several years. Being the transmitters of such deadly diseases as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme Disease, ticks are considered Public Enemy Number One in the eyes of many—especially those who live in the Rocky Mountains or in rural areas. Ticks are definitely a nuisance. Although Lyme Disease has become a serious epidemic in certain parts of the country (specifically Northern climes), most ticks are harmless. The key is to make sure that you completely remove any tick that attaches itself to you.

Ouch!

Never pull, pinch, tear, or crush a tick that has already embedded itself in the skin. By doing so, you run the risk of removing only the body and not the head, which can lead to infection.

You'll definitely know a tick when you see one (at least when one attaches itself to you). They are tiny and oval in shape, and they have leathery black or dark-brown skin. Unfortunately, they are not easily discernible when in their natural habitat: woods, trees, shrubs, deer, raccoons, and other forest creatures.

Instead of biting, ticks burrow. They dig into your skin head first, and then hang out, contentedly sucking on your blood. Of course, if you see the tick when it is on the surface of the skin but has not yet burrowed, you can quickly pick it up with your fingers and crush it dead. However, if the tick has already embedded itself in the skin getting it off of you can be somewhat tricky. Follow these steps to remove the tick:

Ticks are usually harmless.

1. Force the tick to “let go” by covering it completely with Vaseline, rubbing alcohol, or even salad oil or liquor. The oil closes off its breathing holes, and the tick should let go within 30 minutes.
2. Once the tick surrenders, pull it off the skin very carefully with tweezers.

Don't be embarrassed if you'd rather not get rid of the tick on your own. If you are at all fearful of accidentally leaving the head in the skin, take the person to a nearby walk-in or the emergency room for fast, efficient—and safe—removal.

If you wait the full 30 minutes, and the tick refuses to surrender, proceed with these steps:

1. Using tweezers, turn the saturated tick counterclockwise to make it release from the skin, making sure you pick up all its pieces. (It should come out fairly easily because of the oil.)
2. When the tick is out, wash the bite area thoroughly with soap and water.
3. Check for other ticks on the body and scalp.

Signs of lyme disease

First Aids

Lyme disease gets its name from the town of Lyme, Connecticut, where the first outbreak took place.

The spread of Lyme Disease has caused a certain amount of panic, especially among people who live in the Northeast. And statistics add to the scare: 50 percent of the deer ticks found in New Jersey carry Lyme Disease, and raccoons, skunks, mice, and even solid earth itself can hold Lyme-carrying ticks.

The good news is that a blood test can detect Lyme Disease, and antibodies can get rid of it. Even better: scientists have already developed a Lyme Disease vaccine for dogs and cats. It's only a matter of time until we have one as well.

If you exhibit any of the following symptoms, see your physician as soon as possible. The presence of these symptoms doesn't mean that you have Lyme Disease; they can indicate other types of infection that might need medical attention.

Swelling of the joints Swollen glands Fever within ten days Throbbing pain at the bite site Pus oozing from the site Severe headaches A red ring-like rash at the bite site within a month Chronic fatigue

If Lyme Disease is not treated within the first few months, it can infect the heart or nervous system. It can also cause chronic arthritis. If you think you might have been bitten by a tick carrying Lyme Disease, don't hesitate to have a blood test or contact your doctor. It's simple; it's easy; and it will put your mind at ease.

First Things First

Tick prevention is a matter of common sense. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, caps, socks, and shoes when hiking in the woods or vacationing in areas that might be tick-infested. Choose light-colored clothing so that ticks will be more visible on you. Also, spray your campsite with insecticides and inspect each other's skin for ticks at the end of the day. Another plus for insect repellents: they can also keep ticks at bay!

Blood tests are a good way to determine whether or not you have Lyme Disease. But be forewarned. You need to let some time pass (two to three weeks) before taking a test. The results might not show positive for a certain amount of time after the bite. Try to remember when you were bitten and tell your physician. He or she might recommend a second blood test later on if the original test results came back negative but the symptoms continue.

Rocky Mountain “Highs”

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is much less common than Lyme Disease. It is transmitted by a different type of tick that's found mainly in Central and South America, along the eastern coast from Delaware to Florida, and, yes, in the Rocky Mountains.

Its initial symptoms are very similar to Lyme Disease, but it will also cause insomnia, restlessness, and some bleeding at the bite site. Symptoms usually occur within two weeks, but if left unchecked, Rocky Mountain spotted fever can cause heart or brain damage. Antibiotics administered in the early stages can eliminate the infection.