There's a good chance that your parents warned you to check for ticks if you were a child who spent much time in the grass. Although tiny insects are common in all areas, they are more prevalent this year. Experts predict that the tiny pests could be found in record numbers across the United States. They will burrow into the skin of the ankles and ride on pets.How concerned should you be about these parasites that can eat your blood? Experts shared their knowledge about the tick season.AdvertisementTicks seem to be everywhere! Are ticks really getting worse?It all depends on where you live. Tick numbers are increasing in many areas, but they may be stable in other places. This is a local dependent question, according to Sam Telford, a professor of global health and infectious disease at Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Telford has been collecting tick samples from the same locations in Rhode Island and Massachusetts for 35 years. He says he has seen more ticks at certain areas. Telford says that the Nantucket island off the Massachusetts coast is where he has seen the most ticks in the past 10 years. This is based on an index of abundance, which measures how many ticks he sees per minute at each site. He says that the numbers at other sites are much more common, like in Marthas Vineyard.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWill ticks get worse each year in general?Experts believe so. Howard Russell, an entomologist from Michigan State University, believes there is a good chance. According to Russell, ticks are becoming more common in Southern Michigan as well as other parts of the state every year. There is no reason for this trend to reverse anytime soon.However, not everyone is on the same page. Telford said that there is no evidence to suggest that ticks are growing in number. This doesn't mean you are imagining things, if you spend more time getting rid of ticks than before. According to him, people who find more ticks on their bodies could be due to being closer to ticks natural habitats rather than having increased numbers. For example, people living in new housing developments come into direct contact with tick populations that live in previously undeveloped or wooded areas.AdvertisementIs climate change affecting tick populations?It may be partially. Danilo de Campo, a dermatologist at Chicago Skin Clinic, Illinois, suggests that this may be due to the trend towards milder winters. Although all doctors are capable of diagnosing and treating tick bites and tick-transmitted disease, it is a specialty of dermatologists. Del Campo believes that warmer temperatures may lead to an increase in the number of rodents small enough for ticks to breed, such as mice and rats. Research has shown that ticks that carry Lyme disease such as deer ticks thrive in warmer temperatures. This could be due to climate change.AdvertisementIt can be difficult to know. Although Michigan's Western Upper Peninsula experiences very cold winters in Michigan, Russell claims that the area has seen a large number of ticks for much longer than the Lower Peninsula. The Lower Peninsula has more mild winters but had a smaller tick population until around 10 years ago. Telford says that we don't know what factors determine tick abundance. Although climate change might have an impact on tick population, there are many other factors that can influence their abundance.AdvertisementOkay, but are there still many ticks around my home?Ticks can transmit diseases to humans. Telford says that most ticks can transmit disease. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that every tick will be infected. Although most tick species have wide ranges, certain tick-transmitted diseases are more prevalent in some states. Lyme disease is the most prevalent in the U.S. Blacklegged ticks (also known as deer ticks) transmit Lyme disease. They can also transmit other diseases. Lyme disease can lead to headaches and flu-like symptoms. Telford says that Lyme disease can lead to joint pains and in rare cases can even cause chronic health problems. However, most people are fully recovered. Although Rocky Mountain spotted fever is rare, the American dog tick may transmit it. Telford says that any undiagnosed fever should be reported to a doctor immediately. The lone star tick is another tick that can cause an allergy to red meat in some people.AdvertisementAdvertisementYikes.It is not as common as other tick-borne illnesses. However, it is possible to avoid getting sick from tick bites. Russell says that some people do recover. Although lone star ticks can be found in large areas of the Eastern United States, they are more common in the Southeast states. Many people who have this allergy live in these regions.What can I do to ensure my safety?There are many things you can do. Del Campo says that anything that can touch your ankle like grass, brush, or bushes is something you should be cautious about. For gardening, he recommends covering up with long pants and sleeves. Light-colored clothing will also help you see ticks better. He says that if you're alone and don't care, you can just tuck your pants into your socks. It's okay to be uncool.AdvertisementOkay, it doesn't matter if I look cool or if I get ticks. Do I need a TickSuit to protect my skin?AdvertisementDel Campo suggests that a TickSuit covering almost all of your body is effective, but probably too much.What is the best level of protection, other than long sleeves? What if I don't want to wear long sleeves?Use insect repellant is one of the easiest things you can do. Del Campo suggests one that contains 20-30 percent DEET, which is the active ingredient in most bug sprays. Telford states that clothing treated with an insect repellant called Permethrin will provide the best value for money. However, it is also possible to purchase clothing pretreated like socks.AdvertisementDel Campo recommends to his patients that they find a buddy willing to check for ticks. This could be a spouse, a sibling or a friend who has been outside. It can be helpful to check one another after a hike or before you get in your car. A shower after you return home can help to remove ticks and help you inspect yourself more closely. Telford suggests that you shower as soon as possible after you have been in contact with ticks to reduce the likelihood of them attaching themselves to you.AdvertisementAdvertisementOkay, but what about pets? What about pets? Do I have to check my dog for ticks every day? Is tick medication enough for my dog?AdvertisementTick medication can help your dog to get rid of ticks. However, it is not possible for the tick to bite your dog. You may also find ticks in your dog's fur. They can live for a while, but they might still bite and get into your home. It could also eventually get out of your fur and attach to you. Russell says Russell: My wife and I call our dogs tick collectors and relocation experts.There is no way to know if your dog will be bitten by a tick. Telford says that every dog is unique, just as each person is, so the effectiveness of medication may vary. You should check them regularly for your dog's sake and your own.AdvertisementI discovered a tick on my own. What should I do next?Don't panic. You can brush it off outside if it hasn't attached its mouthparts. To infect you, a tick must bite you.You can remove it with tweezers if it has not attached to your skin. Russell says to grab it as close as possible to your skin and pull it off. You want to keep the tick from getting buried under the skin. It can be disposed of by wrapping it in tape, placing it in an alcohol solution, or flushing it down your toilet. It should not be crushed with your fingers. If you need help identifying the tick, you can put it in a Ziploc bag. Telford states that although there are companies that can test ticks for disease, this is not recommended. Even if a tick has transmitted the disease, it might not be necessary to send them.AdvertisementAdvertisementCheck with your doctor if you live in an area that Lyme disease is prevalent and the tick has been attached for more than three days. If the tick has been attached for a long time, or if it is large and bloody, you can tell. A single tablet of doxycycline, an antibiotic prescribed by your doctor if the tick is a Deer tick, can reduce the likelihood of Lyme disease by 85 per cent. Some doctors will wait to see if symptoms develop, even if the tick isn't from a high-risk region. Lyme disease can be contracted from tick bites. Often, a characteristic bulls-eye-shaped rash will develop around the bite. A doctor can prescribe antibiotics if this happens. These are very effective in treating Lyme disease.AdvertisementAnother concern is that some ticks can be hard to see.Nearly every tick in its nymphal or larval stage is approximately the same size as a poppyseed. This means that they are easy to miss. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed this in 2018 tweets by superimposing tiny images showing ticks in the poppyseeds of a lemon poppyseed cupcake, much to the dismay of muffin lovers. Lyme disease may be transmitted by Nymph ticks. Telford states that many deer ticks reach this stage in June. This is why Lyme disease incidence tends be highest in June and July. They are not difficult to see, however. Telford says that you just need to be able to identify what to look for.AdvertisementAdvertisementAll of this sounds extremely scary.It is important to be aware of what you are doing, but don't stress about it. Del Campo says that it is important to do all you can when you are in particular areas. Also, take good care of yourself and your significant others. You can still live your life as normal, provided you use insect repellant and take reasonable precautions. You can also talk to your dermatologist or primary care doctor if you have concerns.Telford concurs: People shouldn't be afraid of ticks and should enjoy the outdoors.
