Tick Information

Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases

 

Blacklegged Ticks, also known as Deer Ticks (Ixodes scapularis), typically transmit Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.

• Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borre/ia burgdorferi. A characteristic sign of Lyme disease is a red circular rash (bull'seye rash) that may appear a few days to a month, at the site of the bite, after being bitten by an infected tick. Multiple rashes may develop. About 60-80% of people who get Lyme disease develop a bull's-eye rash. Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, fatigue, stiff neck, and muscle/joint pain, are also common in early Lyme disease. If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause complications such as recurring swollen and painful joints, temporary facial paralysis, or heart problems.

• Anaplasmosis is caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum and may cause flu-like symptoms 1-3 weeks after the bite of an infected tick. Infection usually produces mild to moderately severe illness, with high fever and headache, but may occasionally be life-threatening or even fatal.

• Babesiosis is a rare and sometimes deadly disease caused by the protozoan Babesia microti. The disease can cause fever, fatigue, and hemolytic anemia lasting from days to months. It may take from 1-8 weeks for symptoms to appear.

 

Lone Star Ticks (Amblyomma americanum) typically transmit ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI). 

• Within two weeks, symptoms appear, which include swollen lymph glands and a skin ulcer at the site of the bite of an infected tick. STARI is specifically associated with the bite of a lone star tick, but the cause of STARI is unknown. Individuals infected with STARI may develop flu-like symptoms and a bull's-eye rash. However, STARI itself does not appear to be serious or potentially fatal. Alpha-gal is a red meat allergy thought to be caused by bites of Lone Star ticks. Symptoms may start 3-6 hours after eating red meat and may include severe itching, hives, and in severe cases, cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, wheezing, shortness of breath, and loss of consciousness. 

 

American Dog Ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) typically transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. RMSF is characterized by a sudden onset of moderate to high fever (which can last for 2-3 weeks), severe headache, fatigue, deep muscle pain, chills, and rash, which begins on the legs/ feet or arms/hands, and may spread rapidly to the rest of the body. Symptoms usually appear within 2 weeks of the bite of an infected tick. Tularemia (see above).

Transmission: Ticks require a blood meal three times in their two-year life cycle. Ticks will attach to your skin and feed for 2-7 days, depending on the tick's stage. Studies have shown that the tick must stay on the body for about 36 hours to transmit Lyme disease. As a result, protective measures and prompt tick removal are essential in reducing your risk of infection.

 

Diagnosis and Treatment: Be sure to seek medical attention if you become ill after a tick bite. Generally, an evaluation of symptoms and blood tests will be used in making a diagnosis. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes. Your healthcare provider will determine the appropriate treatment for you.

Repellents

Repellents may be used to repel ticks and prevent tick attachment. Always read and follow all label directions carefully. Repellents containing DEET may be applied to the skin and clothing. Both the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that DEET not be used in children less than two months of age, and for children older than two months of age, the level should not be higher than 30 percent. For adults, the CDC recommends that the amount be between 20 and 50 percent. Repellents containing permethrin may be applied to clothing only.

 

Personal Protection

Ticks will remain active year-round (above 40° F/4.4°C). Preventive measures should be used whenever tick exposure is likely. Here are some steps to follow:

• Wear light-colored clothing
• Wear long pants and sleeves
• Tuck your pants into your socks
• Tuck your shirt into your pants
• Use repellents as directed
• Walk along the center of the trails 
• Conduct frequent clothing checks
• Once home, dry clothing on the highest temperature setting for at least 10 minutes to kill any ticks
• Carefully inspect your body for ticks
• Keep pets from tick-infested areas and check them before entering the house

Learn more about tick monitoring, control, and repellents

• North East Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases  - tick and mosquito research and outreach programs.

• CDC Vector Borne Diseases - tips on how to avoid mosquito and tick bites.
• NY Invasive Prism / Cornell - information on where ticks live, how to avoid them, and NY Integrated Pest Management.
• EPA Insect repellents safety - learn about different types of repellents, how the EPA assesses them, and tips on using them safely!
• Healthy Children - recommendations for using insect repellents on children.
• Consumer Reports - insect repellent product ratings.

Types of insect bite marks 

A bite mark can be properly identified even after a bite has occurred by the marking of the rash.