Tips to prevent tick bites Published June 21, 2012 72nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron Public Health Office TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- When you are outside this spring and summer, reduce your risk of becoming infected with a tick-borne infection by preventing tick bites. Ticks live in moist and humid environments, particularly in or around wooded or high grass areas. You may come into contact with ticks when walking through infested areas or by brushing up against infested vegetation. Follow these simple rules to prevent tick bites: · Use an insect repellant, with the main ingredient being DEET, on your skin and clothing. · Wear long sleeves and long pants when working outside. · Check your body for ticks. Check in and around the ears, hair, inside belly button, back of the knees, armpits and groin area. · Showering within two hours of coming indoors has shown to reduce the risk of being bitten by a tick. It is important to remove the tick as soon as you notice it. If you do get a tick bite, use the following instructions from the Centers for Disease Control to remove the tick. 1. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible. 2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don't twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. 3. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub or soap and water. Do not use folklore remedies such as "painting" the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly or using heat to make the tick detach from the skin. Watch for signs of illness such as rash or fever and see a health care provider if these develop. Be sure to tell your provider about the tick bite, including when and where the bite occurred. For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/ticks or call Public Health 734-3582.