Going outside? State urges residents to avoid tick bites

As the summer season continues and people head outdoors, the state is encouraging residents to take steps to avoid tick bites. 

Tick-borne diseases, particularly Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, are increasing across the state, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in Michigan, with anaplasmosis, the second most common.  

Both are transmitted by the bugs commonly known as the blacklegged or deer tick. The blacklegged tick is well-established in parts of Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas and has been found in new regions over the past few years, according to MDHHS.

“Preventing tick bites is the best way to prevent tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis,” Dr. Mary Grace Stobierski, MDHHS Emerging & Zoonotic Infectious Diseases manager, said in a statement. “If you find a tick attached to your body, promptly remove it. Monitor your health and if you experience fever, rash, muscle or joint aches or other symptoms, consult with your medical provider.”

Symptoms of tick-borne disease typically begin one to two weeks after a tick bite or being in wooded or brushy areas where ticks live.

Early symptoms can be non-specific and include fever or chills, rash, headache, fatigue and muscle aches and early treatment with antibiotics can decrease the risk of serious complications.

Here's how you can stay safe

Avoid tick-infested areas: 

• As ticks live in grassy, brushy, and wooded areas, walk in the center of trails to avoid contact with overgrown grass, brush and leaf litter at trail edges.
• Protect your pets – dogs and cats can come into contact with ticks outdoors and bring them into the home. Talk with your veterinarian about the best tick prevention products for your pet.

Use insect repellent:

• Apply repellent containing DEET or Picaridin on exposed skin.
• Treat clothes, especially pants, socks and shoes, with permethrin, which kills ticks on contact or buy clothes that are pre-treated. Do not use permethrin directly on skin. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying repellents.

Perform daily tick checks:

• Always check for ticks on yourself and your animals after being outdoors, even in your own yard.
• Inspect all body surfaces carefully and remove attached ticks with tweezers.
• To remove a tick, grasp the tick firmly and as closely to the skin as possible. With a steady motion, pull the tick’s body away from the skin. Cleanse the area with an antiseptic.

Bathe or shower:

• Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors (within two hours) to wash off and more easily find ticks that are crawling on you.
• Wash clothing in hot water and dry on high heat to help kill ticks in clothing.

Not all ticks spread the same germs and MDHHS can help identify ticks you encounter. Residents can email photos of ticks to MDHHS-Bugs@michigan.gov for identification, as well as submit ticks to MDHHS for identification free of charge. For more information on how to submit your tick and/or photos, visit Michigan.gov/lyme. 

Visit CDC.gov/ticks for additional information.

Contact Liz Shepard at (810) 989-6273 or lshepard@gannett.com.