Tick season has arrived

  • Published
  • 72nd Medical Group Public Health Flight

Ticks are very prevalent through the spring and summer months, depending on the weather. Ticks are small arachnids and ectoparasites, which live on the outside of their host and feed on the host’s blood. Their hosts vary from humans, pets, livestock or wild animals. There are more than 800 species of ticks throughout the world.

Most ticks have a four-stage lifecycle: 1. egg, 2. larva, 3. nymph and 4. adult. After they hatch from an egg they must consume blood through each life stage in order to survive. A tick’s lifecycle may take as many as three years to complete. However, most will die off because they don’t find a host to feed on.

While ticks may be very small, they are not to be underestimated. Ticks can spread a variety of bacteria and viruses, which may lead to disease. In this part of the country, these diseases include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, southern tick-associated rash illness, tularemia and tick-borne relapsing fever. Under most circumstances a tick bite may be harmless, however, they may spread tick-borne illnesses. Symptoms related to tick-borne illnesses or allergic reactions may include pain, swelling or burning of the bite area including difficulty breathing, fever, swollen nymph nodes, stiffness of the neck or body rash. It is best to seek medical attention to ensure that you receive the proper care and treatment.

Where do ticks live? Ticks may be found in wooded and grassy areas. They tend to thrive in environments that are damp and they are not as active in hot and dry weather climates. You are more likely to come in contact with a tick while doing outdoor activities close to tall vegetation. More specifically, ticks may be found in moist woodlands, hiking trails and areas with lots of weeds. The best way to avoid a tick is to avoid walking or playing in areas where you are in direct contact with tall grass, shrubs, and trees, especially along jogging trails, game trails, etc.

Avoid getting a tick bite by using a 20 percent DEET repellant product on exposed skin or clothing for good protection. A permethrin product can also be used to treat boots, camping equipment and outdoor clothing. Certain permethrin products can even be effective after multiple washings.

If you find a tick on yourself or your pet, use small forceps and grasp the tick as close as possible to the skin of its host and its mouth. Pull upward with even pressure and make sure not to squeeze the body of the tick. When the tick has been removed, clean the bitten area and your hands with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or you may also use an iodine scrub. It is important to take precautions to prevent ticks from attaching because they have the ability to feed without you feeling them, much like a mosquito and this is when they may transmit disease, which could lead to illness.

Public Health offers a variety of educational services on all locally transmitted diseases including preventive care. All ticks located on base may be turned in to the Public Health Flight to be tested. For more information, contact the Tinker Public Health staff at 582-6536.