With outdoor activities picking up again as the weather warms, health officials are reminding Iowans to take precautions against tick bites and the diseases they potentially carry. The easiest step is prevention. To reduce your risk of potential exposure, remember to use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or other similar chemicals and wear long-sleeved clothing and pants when possible while outdoors. If you discover a tick attached to your skin, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends an easy removal process. Use clean tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible and pull upward with steady pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking, as this may cause mouth-parts to break off, leading to infection. After removal, clean the bite area and hands with rubbing alcohol or soap. Dispose of the tick by flushing it down the toilet or preserve it in rubbing alcohol for identification by a healthcare provider if desired. If symptoms like rash or fever develop within weeks of a tick bite, seek medical attention promptly and inform your provider of the incident. While tick testing is discouraged after nearly all tick bites, individuals should prioritize timely treatment if illness occurs. For more information on ticks and health risks, follow the link included below.
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