As deer ticks continue to be found in Rockland, the County Health Department is warning resident to take precautions to prevent bites.
Most people are infected with Lyme disease, a bacterial infection, through the bite of an immature deer tick in its nymph stage. Nymphs are most active from May to September.
According to the Rockland County Health Department, avoid getting bite by a tick wear light colored clothing, as well as long sleeved shirts and pants when going through grassy or wooded areas. Tuck your shirt into your pants and pant legs into your socks. Wearing sneakers or closed shoes in grass is preferred to sandals and flip-flops. Wear a hat on your head or tie your hair back.
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If you are using insect repellent, spray it on your clothing and never on skin. Make sure talk to your doctor about repellents and follow the directions on the label. Adults should apply repellent to children.
When outdoors check your skin and clothing for ticks. They can be the size of a poppy seed and very difficult to see. Check yourself again when you come inside. This is more easily done in the shower. Be sure to check children and pets, as well.
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If you do find a tick on your body grab it as close to the skin as possible with tweezers. Be sure to not twist or squeeze the tick’s body. Pull the tick upward until it lets go. Removing the tick in under 36 hours reduces the risk of contracting Lyme disease.
You can call the Cornell Cooperative Extension at (845) 429-7085 to find out if the tick is a deer tick.
After you’ve been bitten be sure to monitor yourself for Lyme disease for the next 30 days. Symptoms include:
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Neck stiffness
- Slight fever
- Swollen glands
- Pain and/or stiffness of muscle or joins
- A pink-reddish rash that looks like a “bulls eye”
Those who exhibit these symptoms should contact their doctor. Lyme disease can be completely cured if treated early.
Contact the Rockland County Department of Health for more information (845) 364-2501.
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