Tick - Tock

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Alaska Gov

When it comes to Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections, time is of the essence. Most researchers agree that it takes at least 24 hours of a tick being attached to infect the blood with tick-born infections. The number of cases of Lyme disease has more than doubled in the past 15 years, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Wisconsin has the highest prevalence of Lyme cases in the US due to climate and greater reporting systems. Therefore, nobody in Wisconsin is immune to tick-borne illness.

Preparation and prevention are your first lines of defense. Ticks like to cling to tall grasses in shady areas. If you are hiking, gardening, or out in the woods, consider wearing longer pants and shirts, opting for loose-fitting clothing on hot days. After spending time outdoors, using a lint brush over clothing is a great first step. Showering not only feels good after a day outdoors but also can reduce the risk of Lyme disease. Ticks can be as tiny as a poppy seed, so thorough tick checks are crucial. Use your phone to zoom in for a body scan if your eyesight isn’t the best. Don’t forget to check the back of your hairline and your pets.

Having a tick removal kit on hand is essential. A ziplock bag with needlepoint tweezers, a small plastic bag with a damp paper towel to save the tick, and alcohol pads to clean the area can make a difference. Go slow, grasp the tick close to the skin, and pull up and out. Place the tick in the plastic bag with the damp paper towel, and it can be sent to TickReport.com, available through UMass. This helps track tick-borne pathogens and contributes to the national database.

It can take weeks for antibodies to appear in someone infected by *Borrelia burgdorferi*, the bacteria causing Lyme disease. The characteristic “bullseye rash” does not need to be present. The tick’s saliva has a numbing agent, so you may not realize you’ve been bitten. Early symptoms can appear within 3 to 30 days and include fever, headache, fatigue, and often a rash. If left untreated, Lyme disease can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system. If you have unexplained symptoms, especially ones you can’t place, rule out any tick-borne infections. Early treatment with antibiotics can prevent a lengthy chronic illness.

With a long tick season in Wisconsin, a quick check in your routine will keep you healthy.