This Year, Beware The Surge Of Ticks On Long Island

Experts are warning that 2017 could be a year that ticks -- and the diseases they carry -- spread across the East Coast, especially on Long Island.

Ticks have always been a concern in wooded areas of the island. But this year, experts say that hikers and people spending time outdoors should expect more of them. This means that there could also be an increase in cases of Lyme disease, which can cause serious symptoms.

The warning comes from Rick Ostfeld and Felicia Keesing in an article by NPR. The pair found a way to predict Lyme disease seasons a year in advanced based on the number of mice in the area. Lots of mice one year means lots of Lyme disease the next. The reason is because ticks love mice, which act as an incubator for the disease. Ticks feed off the mice and get the Lyme disease bacteria in their system, which they then transfer to humans when they bite.

According to the CDC, while Lyme disease is not fatal, it can produce serious effects. Within the first 30 days of a tick bite, Lyme disease can cause fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches and swollen lymph nodes, as well as Erythema migrans (EM) rash. The rash occurse in the majority of people with Lyme disease, and usually appears about 7 days after a tick bite. The rash gradually expands over a few days, reaching sizes of 12 inches or more. The center may clear, giving it a distinct "bulls-eye" appearance. Thought it usually appears on the site of the tick bite, it can appear anywhere on the body.

Lyme disease can get worse if left untreated. Later-developing symptoms include:

• Severe headaches and neck stiffness.
• Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly the knees and other large joints.
• Facial palsy (loss of muscle tone or droop on one or both sides of the face).
• Intermittent pain in tendons, muscles, joints and bones.
• Heart palpitations or an irregular heart beat.
• Episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath.
• Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
• Nerve pain.
• Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet.
• Problems with short-term memory.

Lyme disease is spread primarily by deer ticks, which are incredibly small. An adult deer tick is a fraction the size of a dime, and can be very hard to spot, especially on dark-colored clothing or hair.

The CDC believes that around 300,000 people are infected with Lyme disease every year, the majority of which are in the northeast of the country, including New York. However, you can take steps to protect yourself from the disease.

First, if possible, avoid wooded areas or areas with high grass. If you're going to be hiking in the woods, stay in the center of the trail, if possible.

If you're going to be out and about outside, use a bug repellent that contains 20 to 30 percent DEET to keep ticks away.

After coming in from the outdoors, make sure to check your body for ticks. If you can't have someone check, use a mirror to look in places you can't see. Ticks especially like to crawl into hard-to-see places, like your scalp, behind your ears, inside the belly button and in the armpits and groin.

Also make sure to examine your clothes, gear and pets. Ticks can latch onto these and crawl onto a person later.

If you find a tick has embedded itself in your skin, make sure to follow these guidelines for removing it. If removed improperly, the tick head can stay in your skin and still transmit the disease.

Photo: US Department of Agriculture