OTTAWA – Four cases of Lyme Disease were confirmed in LaSalle County last year. According to health educator Jenny Barrie, three out of four of the cases had travel history outside of LaSalle County, and one case was most likely acquired locally. Barrie says location and time spent outdoors can be difficult to pinpoint, that’s why the health department pushes for locals to take precautions against tick bites and the illnesses they can carry. The risk of exposure to ticks is greatest in the woods and in the edge area between lawns and woods; however, ticks can also be carried by animals onto lawns and gardens and into houses by pets.
Simple tips to avoid tick exposure include:
- Wear light-colored, protective clothing—long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, boots or sturdy shoes and a head covering. Tuck long pants into socks and boots.
- Apply insect repellent containing 10 percent to 30 percent DEET primarily to clothes.
- Use products that contain permethrin to treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and sleeping tents. Or look for clothing pre-treated with permethrin.
- Walk in the center of trails so weeds do not brush against you.
- Check yourself, children, other family members and pets for ticks every two to three hours (especially ears, hair, neck, legs and between the toes).
- Check outdoor pets often for ticks. Ticks can “hitch a ride” on pets and into your home. Tick collars, sprays, shampoos, or monthly “top spot” medications help protect pets against ticks.
If you find a tick attached to your skin, there’s no need to panic. Remove the tick as soon as possible to
reduce your chances of getting an infection from the tick bite. The CDC recommends the following
steps to remove a tick:
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure to remove the tick. Avoid twisting or jerking. If the mouthparts remain in the skin, leave them alone. In most cases, they will fall out in a few days.
Don’t use nail polish, petroleum jelly, or a hot match to make the tick detach.
- Clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
If you become ill with a fever and/or rash after being in an area where ticks may be, please contact
your health care provider. The most common symptoms of tick-related illnesses can include fever,
chills, aches, pains, and rash (not in all cases). Early recognition and treatment of the infection decreases
the risk of serious complications.
