Question 1

If I find a tick on my skin or on my dog, what should I do to remove the tick and what kind of symptoms should I look for that may indicate infection?

Mike Ouellette · Accepted Answer

Ticks are skillful at attaching themselves to skin. When they do, it is difficult to remove them. Use fine tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible and pull at a perpendicular angle to the skin surface until they let go. Removal should be attempted as quickly as possible to decrease the length of exposure.  Avoid “breaking” the tick so that no small pieces are left in the skin which could cause a localized infection. In rare instances where a tick bite does lead to an infection, initial signs and symptoms include itching, burning and redness in a circular fashion around the tick bite. Sometimes that rash can proceed to what is called a bull’s-eye lesion with concentric red circles around the bite area. If the disease is going to progress, you’ll start to have flu-like symptoms including muscle aches, fatigue, headache and fever. If you begin to experience any of these symptoms following a possible tick bite, get evaluated by your primary care physician or go to a certified urgent care like Lakes Urgent Care to initiate prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Question 2

How does a tick transmit Lyme disease?

Mike Ouellette · Accepted Answer

Most ticks don’t carry diseases and most tick bites don’t cause serious health problems.

But several diseases are attributed to bacteria transmitted by tick bites including Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Ticks can act as a transmitter of disease for both humans and many domesticated animals. When ticks latch onto their host to obtain a blood meal, they transmit these potentially infectious bacteria through their saliva. If you have a dog that likes to run in the woods, he will be at higher risk for having a tick join him. Your veterinarian can recommend either a monthly flea and tick preventative chew tablet or topical medication to reduce the risk of your dog becoming infected with ticks or bringing them into your home.

Question 3

Is it true that ticks transmitting Lyme disease are more prevalent in our area? Is this something to be concerned about and what can I do to keep my family safe?

Mike Ouellette · Accepted Answer

Tick infestations and activity in the lower Peninsula of Michigan has been increasing over the past few years and there are some specific things you can do to stay safe. When on a hike, walk in the center of the trail. Wear light colored clothing to make ticks easy to spot. Apply an insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET. Consider wearing clothing treated with permethrin when hiking or working in wooded areas. Also consider placing your clothes in a dryer on high heat for at least 60 minutes upon returning from potential exposure areas to kill the ticks. In our region, the greatest time of risk is from April through September.

Question 4

If I find a tick on my skin or on my dog, what should I do to remove the tick and what kind of symptoms should I look for that may indicate infection?

Mike Ouellette · Accepted Answer

Ticks are skillful at attaching themselves to skin. When they do, it is difficult to remove them. Use fine tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible and pull at a perpendicular angle to the skin surface until they let go. Removal should be attempted as quickly as possible to decrease the length of exposure.  Avoid “breaking” the tick so that no small pieces are left in the skin which could cause a localized infection. In rare instances where a tick bite does lead to an infection, initial signs and symptoms include itching, burning and redness in a circular fashion around the tick bite. Sometimes that rash can proceed to what is called a bull’s-eye lesion with concentric red circles around the bite area. If the disease is going to progress, you’ll start to have flu-like symptoms including muscle aches, fatigue, headache and fever. If you begin to experience any of these symptoms following a possible tick bite, get evaluated by your primary care physician or go to a certified urgent care like Lakes Urgent Care to initiate prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Question 5

How does a tick transmit Lyme disease?

Mike Ouellette · Accepted Answer

Most ticks don’t carry diseases and most tick bites don’t cause serious health problems.

But several diseases are attributed to bacteria transmitted by tick bites including Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Ticks can act as a transmitter of disease for both humans and many domesticated animals. When ticks latch onto their host to obtain a blood meal, they transmit these potentially infectious bacteria through their saliva. If you have a dog that likes to run in the woods, he will be at higher risk for having a tick join him. Your veterinarian can recommend either a monthly flea and tick preventative chew tablet or topical medication to reduce the risk of your dog becoming infected with ticks or bringing them into your home.

Question 6

Is it true that ticks transmitting Lyme disease are more prevalent in our area? Is this something to be concerned about and what can I do to keep my family safe?

Mike Ouellette · Accepted Answer

Tick infestations and activity in the lower Peninsula of Michigan has been increasing over the past few years and there are some specific things you can do to stay safe. When on a hike, walk in the center of the trail. Wear light colored clothing to make ticks easy to spot. Apply an insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET. Consider wearing clothing treated with permethrin when hiking or working in wooded areas. Also consider placing your clothes in a dryer on high heat for at least 60 minutes upon returning from potential exposure areas to kill the ticks. In our region, the greatest time of risk is from April through September.

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All Questions

Ticks and Lyme Disease

If I find a tick on my skin or on my dog, what should I do to remove the tick and what kind of symptoms should I look for that may indicate infection?

How does a tick transmit Lyme disease?

Is it true that ticks transmitting Lyme disease are more prevalent in our area? Is this something to be concerned about and what can I do to keep my family safe?