Know the two ticks that matter
In most of the eastern United States, the deer tick, also called the blacklegged tick, is the one to worry about. It is tiny — an adult is about the size of a sesame seed, and a nymph is smaller than a poppy seed. It carries Lyme disease.
The American dog tick is larger, with white markings on its back, and can carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever. In the West, the western blacklegged tick carries similar risks. Size matters: nymphs are hard to see and active in late spring and summer.
Where they wait
Ticks do not jump or fall from trees. They climb a blade of grass or a low branch, hold on with their back legs, and grab whatever brushes past. That is why the risk is highest in tall grass, brush and the leafy edge between a trail and a field.
Walk in the middle of the trail, avoid sitting on logs or in tall grass, and tuck your shirt into your pants if you are bushwhacking. Light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot before they find skin.
Repellent and treated clothing
Permethrin-treated clothing is the most effective single measure. Treat pants, socks and gaiters, or buy pre-treated clothing that lasts through many washes. Treat only clothing, never skin, and let it dry completely.
For exposed skin, use a repellent with 20 to 30 percent DEET or 20 percent picaridin. Apply to ankles, wrists and the hairline. Reapply after 4 to 6 hours if you are sweating heavily.
Check within 24 hours
The risk of Lyme transmission rises the longer a tick stays attached. In most cases it takes 24 to 48 hours, but transmission can happen sooner, so a thorough check the same day makes a real difference.
Check warm, dark places: armpits, groin, behind the knees, waistband, belly button, ears and hairline. Shower within 2 hours of getting home and put clothes in a hot dryer for 10 minutes to kill anything still attached.
- Armpits and behind the knees.
- Groin and waistband.
- Belly button and ears.
- Hairline and scalp.
- Backs of the legs where you cannot see.
Removing a tick
Use fine-tipped tweezers and grab the tick as close to the skin as you can. Pull straight up with steady pressure. Do not twist, crush or burn it, and do not smother it with petroleum jelly.
Clean the bite with alcohol or soap and water. Save the tick in a small bag or a piece of tape and note the date. If symptoms appear later, the tick can help with identification.
Symptoms to watch
Watch for a rash, fever, fatigue, headache or joint pain in the 3 to 30 days after a bite. The classic Lyme rash is a bullseye, but it does not always appear and is not always round.
Call a doctor if any of those symptoms show up, and mention the tick bite and the date. Early treatment is straightforward. Waiting a week because the rash looks small is the mistake most people make.
