By Roman Tuma, M.D.

UPMC Infectious Disease

As the weather warms up and we spend more time outdoors, it’s important to keep tick safety in mind. Ticks can carry infections such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis — all of which can have serious health consequences if left untreated. Here’s what to do if you find a tick on your body, and what to watch for if you didn’t see the bite but feel something isn’t right.

If You Find a Tick

Stay calm. Not all ticks carry disease, and prompt action is the best way to protect your health. Remove the tick carefully using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking, which can leave the head of the tick behind. Do not use heat, petroleum jelly, or other “folk remedies” — they can make things worse. Clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Save the tick, if possible. Place it in a sealed container or zip-lock bag with a date label. This can be helpful if symptoms develop later, and your health care provider wants to test or identify the tick.

Monitor Your Health

Watch for symptoms over the next 30 days. The most common early sign of Lyme disease is a circular rash that often resembles a bull’s-eye. This rash appears in about 70 to 80% of infected individuals, usually within three to 30 days after a tick bite. However, not everyone gets this rash. Other signs to look for include:

• Fever and chills
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle or joint aches
• Swollen lymph nodes

If you notice any of these symptoms — especially after a tick bite — contact your health care provider. Fortunately, when caught early, Lyme is effectively treated with a course of antibiotics, most commonly doxycycline. Most people recover fully, especially with prompt treatment.

What If You Never Saw the Tick?

Ticks are small, and their bites are painless. It’s possible to be bitten without realizing it. If you’ve been in grassy, wooded, or brushy areas and start to experience flu-like symptoms during tick season (spring through fall), it’s important to consider a tickborne illness.

Some infections can cause:

• Fevers without a clear cause
• Body aches
• Confusion or neurological symptoms
• Unexplained rashes

If you suspect a tickborne illness — even without a known bite — don’t wait to seek care. The earlier we catch it, the better the outcome.

Final Thoughts

You can reduce your risk by wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors, using insect repellent with DEET or permethrin, and doing a full-body tick check after spending time outside. Don’t forget to check hidden spots like behind the knees, under arms, around the waist, and in your hairline.

Ticks are a part of our environment, but with a little vigilance, they don’t have to be a threat to your health.

Roman Tuma, M.D., sees patients at UPMC Williamsport, 700 High St., Williamsport. To make an appointment with Dr. Tuma, call 570-321-2181. To learn more about UPMC Infectious Disease services in North Central Pa., go to UPMC.com/NorthCentralPa.