Don’t Let Ticks Spoil Your Summer Fun!

Follow these simple steps to help stay tick-free

NEW CITY, NY, - As summer continues, the Rockland County Department of Health reminds residents to take precautions to avoid tick bites and reduce the risk of tick-borne illnesses. While not all ticks carry disease, and not every bite leads to illness, prevention and early action are key.

According to the Fordham Tick Index, which provides an estimate of the risk of being bitten by a deer tick in the tri-state area during a particular time of year, the risk of being bitten during the week of July 18^th is currently at 8 out of 10, indicating a high risk.

“Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in New York, caused by a deer tick. Other serious tick-borne diseases include Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, and the rare but severe Powassan virus. These illnesses can cause symptoms ranging from fever and fatigue to more serious complications. Early detection and treatment are critical,” said Dr. Mary Leahy, Rockland County Commissioner of Health.

Taking these simple precautions can significantly reduce your risk of tick-borne illness:

Avoid contact with ticks: 

• Walk in the center of well-traveled trails away from tall grass and brush.
• Avoid dense woods and bushy areas.
• Don’t sit directly on the ground or stone walls.

Check clothes and any exposed skin frequently for ticks while outdoors and remove any ticks promptly:

• Shake off any ticks before they attach to your skin, and perform a thorough check of your body when you return inside.
• Perform a tick check when you bathe or shower, preferably within two hours, to wash off and more easily locate any ticks that may be on your body.
• If you find a tick attached to you, there may be other ticks on your body. Perform a through tick check to look for other ticks and remove them promptly. Young deer ticks, called nymphs, are brown and the size of poppy seeds. Adult female deer ticks are red and black, while males are black. Adult deer ticks are about the size of a sesame seed.
• Do a final, full-body tick check at the end of the day.
• Be sure to check for ticks on children and pets.

Remove any attached ticks using this safe method:

• Using fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick near the mouthparts as close to the skin as possible.
• Pull upward away from the skin with steady, even pressure until the tick lets go - do not twist, turn, or squeeze the tick’s body.
• Remove ticks as soon as possible to reduce the risk of infection.
• Do not attempt to remove ticks by using petroleum jelly (Vaseline), lit cigarettes, or other home remedies, as these methods may increase your risk of infection.
• After removing the tick, disinfect the area and the tweezers, and wash your hands.
• Dispose of the live tick by taking one of these steps: place it in a sealed container, wrap it tightly in tape, flush it down the toilet, or put it in alcohol. Do not crush the tick with your fingers.

Wear protective clothing:

• Choose light-colored clothing to spot ticks more easily.
• Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks, and closed-toe shoes.
• Tuck your shirt into your pants and your pants into your socks.
• Tie back long hair or wear a hat.

Consider the use of insect repellent:

• Read and follow the directions on the repellent label carefully.

If you develop a rash or flu-like symptoms after a tick bite, contact your health care provider immediately to discuss any treatment and further prevention options.  For more information, visit the Rockland County Department of Health, the New York State Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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