How to prevent tick bite?
Updated: Jun 9
As the weather becomes warmer, many people engage in outdoor activities such as hiking or playing in the countryside.Experts from the East Bay Regional Parks advise the public to stay vigilant and take preventive measures to avoid tick bites.
What are ticks?
Ticks are insects related to spiders. In California, female ticks have red or brown heads and black legs. Male ticks are usually smaller and entirely brown or black. Most ticks cannot fly or jump and are commonly found in grass and bushes. When someone touches the bushes, ticks can climb onto them.
How to prevent tick contact?
When engaging in outdoor activities, wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and closed-toe shoes.
Tuck pants into socks.
Before outdoor activities, apply insect repellent containing DEET to shoes, socks, and pants.
Avoid letting children and pets walk alone too far.
Walk on trails as much as possible and avoid areas with lots of grass and bushes.
When returning home, immediately shower and check children and pets for signs of tick bites.
Diseases spread by ticks:
Ticks can transmit various diseases, including Lyme disease, Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis (HGA), and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, among others. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by organisms of the Borrelia burgdorferi group. Common symptoms include non-itchy red spots on the skin, fever, headache, fatigue, and more severe complications if not treated early.
How to remove ticks?
If bitten by a tick, use a tissue or small tweezers to remove the tick.
Use an object like a credit card to remove other parts of the tick.
Wash your hands with soap and water, apply disinfectant cream to the bitten area.
Early tick removal can prevent the spread of tick-borne diseases and complications. If individuals experience the mentioned symptoms or suspect tick bites, they should seek medical attention promptly.
For more information on ticks, please visit ebparks.org/safety/wildlife-encounters
KTSF Nurse Christina RN,MSN
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