Courtesy-in.gov
INDIANAPOLIS—Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) officials are alerting Hoosiers to protect themselves from tick bites during and after spending time outdoors to protect themselves from tick-borne diseases.
State Public Health Veterinarian Jen Brown, D.V.M., said, “The risk for tick-borne disease is at its highest for the next few months, so we want Hoosiers to protect themselves by taking precautions against tick bites.”
While Lyme disease is Indiana’s most common tick-borne disease, Hoosiers are also at risk for ehrlichiosis and spotted fever group rickettsiosis (which includes Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever). While the risk for Lyme disease is highest in northwest Indiana and the risk for ehrlichiosis is highest in southern Indiana, ticks that carry these diseases have been found throughout the state.
Preventing tick bites is the best way to prevent tick-borne diseases. Hoosiers can take the following precautions to prevent tick bites:
- Know where ticks are likely to be (close to the ground in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas)
- Treat boots, clothing, and outdoor gear with 0.5% permethrin (NOT be used on bare skin)
- Use EPA-registered insect repellents with active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanoate
- Treat your pets for ticks in consultation with a veterinarian
Once indoors, thoroughly check for ticks on clothing, gear, pets, and skin. Tumbling clothes in the dryer on high for 30 minutes will kill ticks, and showering can help remove any unattached ticks.
“Tick checks are an essential part of preventing tick-borne diseases. Promptly removing an attached tick can prevent you from becoming sick in some cases,” Brown said.
Ticks may be safely removed by using tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and then pulling outward with steady and even pressure. After the tick is removed, the area should be washed thoroughly. Ticks should never be crushed with the fingernails.
Anyone who becomes ill after finding an attached tick should see a healthcare provider immediately and alert the provider to the exposure. Most tick-borne diseases can be treated with antibiotics, and prompt diagnosis can help prevent complications.
The IDOH website has more information about ticks and how to prevent the diseases they carry.
