Preventing Tick-Borne Illnesses In Rockland

NEW CITY, NY — It's summer and it's time to be worried about preventing tick-borne illnesses.

Rockland County officials said, as residents spend time outside this summer, to be sure to protect themselves from tick bites because the risk and incidence of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases persist and will rise, as it does every summer.

County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert said a bite from an infected tick can cause Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis and Powassan.

"Most people enjoy being outside," she said. "However outdoor activities during the summer months, when tiny nymphal deer ticks are active, can present a greater risk because this is the point in the tick's lifecycle when they are most likely to spread diseases to humans and their pets."

Ruppert suggested following these five steps to protect you and your family:

1. Check your skin for ticks daily. When outside, check your skin and clothing for ticks. Know where to expect ticks. Ticks live in grassy and wooded areas and prefer a humid environment. Check often and brush any ticks off before they attach. Do a full check of your skin when you go back inside. It is easy to check when you bathe or shower. Be sure to check for ticks on your children and pets, too.
2. Remove ticks quickly and safely. Remove any attached ticks using this safe method: Using fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick near the mouthparts as close to the skin as possible. Do not twist, turn or squeeze the tick's body. Instead, pull the tick in a steady, upward motion away from the skin until the tick lets go. To lessen your chance of infection, remove an attached tick as soon as possible. For tick identification, call the Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticultural Lab at 845-429-7085.
3. Dress in clothes that protect. If you are heading outdoors, wear light-colored clothing, such as white or pastels. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks and shoes. Tuck your shirt into your pants and pant legs into your socks. Wear sneakers or boots, not sandals. Tie back long hair or wear a hat.
4. Consider the use of insect repellent. Carefully read and follow the directions on the repellent label. Some products should be used only on clothing, never on the skin. Talk to your pediatrician about using repellents on your children. Never let children put repellents on themselves.
5. Learn the symptoms of Lyme disease. After a tick bite, watch for symptoms for at least 30 days. Symptoms can include tiredness, headache, neck stiffness, slight fever, swollen glands, pain or stiffness of muscles or joints and a red circular rash — called erythema migrans — that often appears at the site of the tick bite, usually within three to 14 days after the bite of an infected tick. The rash then grows larger. Sometimes many rashes appear, varying in shapes and sizes. Common sites are the thighs, groin, trunk and armpits. The center of the rash may clear as it enlarges, resulting in a "bull's-eye" appearance. If you have any of these symptoms or are feeling ill, see your doctor.

If you are bitten by a tick, health experts said taking antibiotics within three days of a tick bite may be beneficial to someone living in an area where deer ticks infected with Lyme disease is common, like Rockland County, although it's not routinely recommended.

Ruppert said the best treatment for Lyme disease is prevention and awareness. If the removal of attached ticks occurs within 36 hours, the risk of tick-borne infection is minimal.

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