Bite Prevention and Helpful Tips
We want to see your tick bites!
Though most tick bites are benign, early assessment is essential when it comes to treating tick-borne illnesses. We are a tick research center and have been participating in research studies for over 10 years. If you meet the research criteria, we may even ask you to volunteer in our studies!
Examples of ECM rashes from our research volunteers. Notice the variety in presentations of Lyme disease.
Bite Prevention and Safety
Getting bit almost seems inevitable out here on the East End, that’s why it’s important to do the most you can to prevent them! Here are some basic tips to follow:
Pretreat outdoor garments, shoes, and socks with permethrin is easy to do and very effective. It lasts multiple wash cycles, and is fatal to ticks on contact. Permethrin is non-toxic once dried.
Available in our office; ask any of our staff for assistance
Always remember to physically check yourself and your pets after spending time outside. Pets will bring ticks into the house and bed, even if they have been treated.
Your best resource is Tick Encounter for the most comprehensive and updated information for the entire northeast.
Things to remember about ticks and tick disease:
Most tick bites are benign. Though we always recommend coming in and being examined, most patients do not require treatment.
Research and understanding of TBD is constantly evolving.
A lot of the old standards of care regarding tick disease and treatment are just that; old! Our expertise on tick borne illness requires us to stay up to date with the latest recommended treatments. Antibiotics are not always needed
You often won’t feel a bite! Ticks use a numbing agent while attaching to feed, so often you won’t feel a thing. Once the tick is done feeding it will drop off so it may go unnoticed.
The bullseye rash commonly associated with Lyme disease isn’t always as clear or defined as in the picture to the right and may be difficult for an untrained eye to discern from a sunburn
Not all ticks carry Lyme disease!
Always try to bring the tick with you. This allows us to examine the specimen under the microscope to identify the species of tick, and the potential diseases they can carry. Place the tick in a container or small sandwich bag. Avoid tape if possible
Please watch the short video above for a quick demonstration.
Tick Facts:
Most of the bites we see in the area are from the Lonestar tick, and fortunately they do not carry Lyme disease
The deer tick however CAN carry Lyme disease, but other diseases as well! The other diseases may require separate, but simultaneous treatment. This is another reason why it’s important to discuss your symptoms with a physician well trained in tick disease.
Tick Disease Resources
Spend some time looking at tick encounter, they do a great job providing up-to-date information regarding Lyme and other tick disease in the area: