Your kids can still enjoy the great outdoors and you can stop worrying about ticks. With a prompt response, these three steps can give you peace of mind.
After a long winter and wet spring, many of us dream of summer and enjoying the great outdoors with our kids.
But a tick bite can turn a dream outing into a parent’s worst nightmare. And it’s easy to see why.
- Reports of tick-borne diseases in the United States have more than doubled in the last 13 years, according to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)((https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6717e1.htm?s_cid=mm6717e1_x)).
- According to WebMD, reports of tick-borne diseases have risen dramatically from 2004 to 2016. Lyme leads the pack, with 36,429 cases reported in 2016, up from 19,804 in 2004. (Though experts estimate the actual number is closer 300,000.)((https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/faq-tick-borne-diseases)).
- Reported cases of Anaplasmosis/ehrlichiosis capped out at 5,750 in 2016, up from 875 cases in 2004. And Rocky Mountain spotted fever was reported 4,269 times, up from 1,713 in 2004.
The CDC says there are a few things you can do protect your kids and yourself from ticks and other pests.
But prevention methods offer cold comfort when you’ve already found a tick on your child.
When you do find a tick, do not panic.
Here are three ways you can minimize health concerns – and calm your nerves.
First, Save and Test the Tick
Remove a tick with three easy steps:
Step 1. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as you can.
Step 2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure.
Step 3. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with scrubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.
You can send the tick to be tested to determine whether it is carrying the pathogens that can lead to tick-borne illnesses, such as Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme Disease), Tick-Relapsing Fever (TBRF) (including B. miyamotoi), Babesia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Bartonella, and Rickettsia. This step is very important, since by saving and testing the tick you can save considerable money and time in the future.
Second, Spot the Symptoms of Tickborne Illnesses
The blacklegged tick – responsible for Lyme disease, the Powassan virus, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis – is now in almost half of all U.S. counties. Click here to learn more about types of ticks, where they are found in the U.S., and which diseases they carry.
A simple antibiotic, doxycycline, can be used to snuff out most of the diseases – if they are recognized and treated early.
According to KidsHealth.org, children suffering from tick-borne illnesses often exhibit common symptoms.
Look out for:
- A red bump ringed by an expanding red rash, which looks like a bull’s-eye (Lyme disease)
- Red dots on the ankles and wrists (Rocky Mountain spotted fever)
- Flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, tiredness, vomiting, and muscle and joint aches
For detailed information on symptoms, click here.
If you or your child have been bitten by a tick and experience any of the symptoms described here, the safest bet is to see your doctor immediately.
Third, Know Common Diagnostic Mistakes
Unfortunately, the journey may not end with a trip to the doctor. Inaccurate test results are more common than you might expect. Consult with a healthcare provider who can determine which lab test(s) may be required based on any symptoms and other factors. After determining the type of test required, you or your doctor can order a test kit directly.
For example, Lyme disease often is called “the great imitator,” because it can be misdiagnosed as a number of other conditions.
These include:
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Multiple sclerosis
- Depression
- Rheumatoid arthritis
A blood test for Lyme can determine if an infected tick bit you. If so, antibiotics can get rid of the infection and its symptoms.
Conclusion
Don’t let a fear of ticks derail your plans to get outside. Make quick checks for ticks part of your routine, and act quickly when you find one. If you suspect you or your child are showing any signs of a tick-borne illness, talk with your doctor right away.
For more information on test kits available to detect tick-borne illnesses, contact us directly.
