What's Going Around? - Ticks and Lyme Disease

Spring means more than warmer weather and longer days. It also means the unwelcome return of ticks. These tiny, biting creatures feed on warm-blooded animals, including people, and can transmit serious illness through their bites. Those illnesses include infections, skin rashes, and Lyme disease.

Ticks usually live on tall grass and in wooded areas, but they can enter your home on pets or clothing. While it’s a good idea to take precautions year-round, you should be cautious during warmer months when ticks are most active. Lyme disease symptoms usually appear one to two weeks after a bite and include:

• Bulls-eye rash (erythema migrans)
• Fever
• Muscle and joint pain
• Fatigue

A few precautions can help you avoid tick bites while working or playing outside:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and tuck your pants into your socks.
• Avoid sitting on the ground.
• Remove and inspect your clothing after leaving a possible tick-infested area.
• Conduct a full-body inspection of yourself, your children and your pets.