September 2011
TICKS- Do they Tick you off?
-Folsom, Ca
Most of us have heard of Ticks and we all know they aren’t a good thing, but why? Well, let’s start with what Ticks really are. Nationwide there have been about 850 species of Ticks discovered, and in the State of California there are about 47, but here in the greater Sacramento area there are about six of those which are fond of human and animal blood. They are brownish colored and predominantly plentiful during the Spring and Summer months. They are quite tiny and have 8 legs. Interesting enough, Ticks are included in the Spider and Mite family. They are very small and as adults they will only get as big as a freckle, however, when engorged, some Ticks may become as large as a kernel of corn.
Ticks feed on blood, usually from a point in the body where there is hair or fur to find refuge. Once aboard, tiny ticks will find their way to the skin surface where they burrow in with their small heads until just beneath the skin, they plug into their bloody meal. If you were a female Tick, you might feed on one host for nearly a week. Male Ticks are actually much less intrusive than the females as they don’t have quite the appetite and rarely attach to humans. Once the tick is full, it will simply fall from the host and find it’s next victim.
Besides the fact that they have an affinity for our blood, there are several reasons why we don’t want to tolerate Ticks, and since 1978 Lyme Disease has been among the most important. Lyme Disease is attributed to Deer Ticks which are found in Northern California. These Ticks transmit a bacterium which is the cause of the condition. Once the Disease is contracted, a rash will become present on the surrounding skin. This rash will go away with treatment, usually within a week. However, if the Tick goes undetected in the body of the host, flu-like symptoms will normally follow with the victim feeling tired and sore in the joints, muscles and bones. The good news is that Deer Ticks usually require 36 hours of feeding before the bacterium that causes the disease can be transmitted. All things considered, Lyme Disease is only contracted from Ticks 1% of the time.
Another concern is the infectious agent that is transmitted through the bite of the Tick. These organisms are known to carry a bacterium which may cause a tick borne infection, although the chances of this are quite low. Interestingly enough, it is only when the Tick becomes engorged from the blood of the victim that the bacterium is passed. Once bitten, the victim will usually become ill within 1 to 2 weeks if the Tick is not removed.
So what brings in contact with Ticks? Well, if you live, work or play in wooded forests and the great outdoors in general, your risk of contracting a tick is much higher than those who stay on the concrete. When walking, working or recreating in wooded, grassy, brushy areas one should be especially concerned about Ticks. Take the time to look over your shoes and legs regularly when you are in these high Tick traffic areas, the sooner you can get rid of a Tick, the better.
So how can we prevent Ticks from ticking us off? Obviously, If you find an attached tick, you will want to remove it immediately. Removing a Tick can be a bit tricky and should be done with care. Although some home remedies include heating the tick with a match and using alcohol or petroleum jelly, these methods have proven to be ineffective.
The recommended way of removing a Tick means first locating the entry point. But be advised that it is important to use tweezers to get as close to the skin surface as you can. Gently and slowly pull the Tick from under the skin. Take care not to let the head break off while still under the skin. If this happens, simply remove the parts from the wound. Once the Tick is extracted, make sure that you thoroughly wash the area with soap.
Last but not least, it is important to remember that, unless it goes untreated for a long period of time, tick bites rarely result in serious injury or death.
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