This little critter, a common brown dog tick, is looking for a snack. Don’t let it be you!

By April HussarSELF.com

Picnics, hikes, afternoons in the garden — all wonderful ways to take advantage of the warmer weather. but keep in mind that along with fresh air and exercise, you’re also potentially exposing yourself to tiny, unwanted visitors – ticks! Luckily, with a few steps, you can minimize your exposure and keep yourself safe.

According to Dr. Richard S. Ostfeld, a disease ecologist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, N.Y., this is poised to be an especially bad tick season, because of the way the white-footed mouse population was affected by a great acorn season two years ago, and a bad acorn season this past year.

Since ticks feast on white-footed mice, and white-footed mice are very effective at transmitting Borrelia burgdorferi (the bacterium that causes Lyme disease), the infected tick population grew last year, says Dr. Ostfeld. now, this year, fewer acorns means fewer mice, which in turn, theorizes Dr. Ostfeld, essentially means ticks will need something else to snack on. us!

Gary P. Wormser, M.D., the chief of infectious diseases at Westchester Medical Center and a professor at new York Medical College, is familiar with Dr. Ostfeld’s theory. “That, combined with the nice weather, and people being out and about enjoying the nice weather, might bring people into contact with more ticks,” he says.

Ticks are less active in cold weather, Dr. Wormser explains, but they can still be active even in the winter as long as it’s not freezing. “And this has been such a mild winter and spring, they’re likely to be more active than they would be under colder conditions, and people are more likely to be outside,” he says.

Plus, Dr. Wormser says the even years tend to be a little worse in terms of numbers of cases of Lyme disease. “I’m not sure exactly why that is,” he says, noting that the deer tick has a two-year life cycle, so it’s possible there are more of them around during the even years. “It’s not a very scientific principle,” he says, “but it’s an observation!”

Whether or not there are more ticks this year than usual, it’s important to protect yourself. “Prevention is the key,” says Dr. Wormser, who points out that it’s much easier to take a few precautions in advance than deal with Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses after the fact. Here are his top strategies for preventing tick bites:

1. Stay away from tall grass, bushy shrubs and areas where there’s a lot of leaf litter. “Manicured lawns that are well-mowed are less risky,” he says.

2. Use insect repellant on your exposed skin (other than your hands and face). Dr. Wormser recommends using repellant with DEET, because it’s proven to be effective. “You can easily see a tick that’s on your face or your hands,” he explains.

3. after you’ve been outside and potentially exposed to ticks, take a shower or a bath. “If you can bathe within a couple of hours of exposure, you will reduce your changes of getting a tick bite.”

4. do a tick check! Dr. Wormser says one of the best strategies is to enlist someone’s help and check your body for ticks every 24 hours during the time you are potentially exposed to ticks. “Look at your entire body to see if there are any attached ticks, and remove them,” he says. “If you can remove the tick within 24 hours of it biting you, you usually don’t contract any of the related diseases.” 

Speaking of removing ticks — Dr. Wormer says is a misconception that you have to get every last bit of the tick out. “They do cement themselves in,” he says, “and normally they would stay on your body for 3-7 days if left undisturbed.” So, he says, “when you pull them out, occasionally a little bit of the mouth part will remain in, but that isn’t necessarily a concern because it comes out on its own.” 

Once you pull out the tick with tweezers, Dr. Wormser recommends treating the area with a topical antibacterial (like Bacitracin) and observing the area for at least a month. “Typically a rash would develop 7-14 days after your remove the tick,” he says, so if you have a rash right away, it’s probably a reaction to the bite itself, rather than Lyme disease. in addition to watching out for a rash, you should make an appointment with your doctor if you have symptoms like headaches or fevers that don’t seem to be related to a cold, says Dr. Wormser.

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LAKE COUNTY — the wetter than normal spring has resulted in an explosion of ticks in Lake County.

one Kelseyville resident reported recently he has been picking ticks off his body on a daily basis. He said that even a short walk through the grass where he lives results in ticks.

Ticks are the primary carriers of Lyme disease in California and Lake County.

If a person is bitten and gets infected and does not receive prompt treatment, it can have devastating consequences for a lifetime.

While the chances of catching Lyme disease are not high, people who frequent the woods in Lake and Mendocino counties are urged to be on the lookout for ticks that carry the bacteria.

Adult ticks will wait in on low-lying vegetation until they can grab onto a passing host. Immature ticks can be picked up by humans directly from the soil or leaf litter.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Lyme disease is a bacterial disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi.

the disease is spread by the bite of a tick. in California it’s the western black-legged tick that transmits the disease.

the tick bites an infected animal such as a mouse, bird, deer or lizard and then becomes a carrier of the disease.

the symptoms of Lyme disease varies.

Within one to two weeks of being infected, a person may have a “bull’s-eye” rash along with a fever, headache and muscle or joint pain. Some people have Lyme disease and do not have any early symptoms. other people have a fever and other flu-like symptoms without a rash. in its early stages Lyme disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics. However, if left untreated it can cause arthritic or neurological problems that will require extensive medical treatment.

After several days or weeks, the bacteria may spread throughout the body of an infected person. People infected with the disease experience a wide array of symptoms from arthritis to heart and neurological problems. there have been very few deaths caused by Lyme disease, however, the crippling effects of the disease can last a lifetime.

there is a blood test for Lyme disease and according to the CDC the test is about 80-85 percent reliable, however, it doesn’t always pick up the disease. It can also lay dormant in your body for years before becoming active.

the people most at risk for catching Lyme disease are hunters, hikers, campers or workers who spend a good deal of time in the woods. a controlled study done by world renown entomologist Robert S. Lane PHD of the University of California, Berkeley listed the five greatest risk behaviors for catching Lyme disease. the study consisted of researchers doing various tasks in the woods and the number of ticks were counted that attached themselves to the individuals. Sitting on a log drew most of the ticks. that was followed by gathering wood, sitting against a tree, walking through the woods and sitting in leaf piles.

According to Lane, only nymphs (Immature ticks) and adult female ticks can transmit the Lyme disease bacteria to humans. Lane says that it’s the nymphs, which are about the size of a poppy seed, that are most dangerous because they’re hard to see and difficult to remove.

Only a small percentage of ticks carry the Lyme disease bacteria. Studies have shown that in Lake and Mendocino counties less than 3 percent of the ticks are actual carriers.

the good news is that it normally takes at least 24 hours after a tick attaches itself to a human before the person is infected. If the tick is removed promptly the chance of getting Lyme disease is very low.

If a person is bitten by a tick the CDC advises that you remove the tick carefully to prevent breaking off the head.

the best method is to use a small set of tweezers. Grab the tick as close as possible to the head and pull straight out.

the symptoms of Lyme disease are a red bulls-eye rash that occurs at the location of the tick bite within a few days after being bitten.

other symptoms are headache, stiff neck, fever and flu-like symptoms. Sometimes there are no early symptoms at all.

in its early stages Lyme disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics. However, if left untreated it can cause arthritic or neurological problems that will require extensive treatment.

Most physicians automatically prescribe antibiotics when they see an infected tick bite or the family red bulls-eye.

Ticks can be repelled by applying a tick repellent to clothing. the most common repellents have the ingredient DEET.

Check your body carefully for several days after returning from the woods.

Ticks like to attach themselves in the groin area, underarms and other places where the skin is soft.

CHICO, Calif. — Mosquito and Vector control in Butte County has confirmed a number of ticks carrying Lyme disease, specifically near Lake Oroville and Bidwell park trails.If caught early, Lyme disease is treatable, but the symptoms might not show up for months or years.Within a month of being bit, most people who have the disease will develop a bruise or rash. but late symptoms like numbness, tingling of the face, mood swings, or depression can all be caused by various illnesses other than Lyme disease making it difficult for doctors to diagnosis it properly.If you have symptoms, officials with Shasta County Public Health says it’s best to go to your doctor first and have them decide whether you need to see a specialist.to protect yourself from being bit by deer ticks here are some tips:1. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, tucked into your pants and then, tuck your pants into your socks so your skin isn’t exposed. 2. Wear light-colored clothing, so it will be easier to spot a tick on you. 3. Also use repellent like Deet, but it needs to be reapplied several times throughout the day. 4. Make sure to check your dog or cat for ticks if they are outside often.

For about 3 weeks now I haven't felt like myself. I've had a fever on and off and about 5 days ago it really hit me, extreme muscle pain, neck pain/stiffness, headache. my doctor did full blood panel on me and says everything looks good and I just have the flu, but I don't have a cough, sore throat, runny nose no symptoms that would be considered flu? just the fever and body aches.

If you have a stiff neck, you should be seeing your doctor again or go to the ER. It could be something more serious. Three weeks is too long to have those symptoms without taking an antibiotic because it could turn into a bacterial infection. I suppose you have not been bitten by any ticks or you would know about it. That can cause Lyme Disease.

your symptoms sound like the flu.

Your symptoms are the traditional flu. those other symptoms you mention are symptoms of a cold.

Lyme arthritis is an alarming condition. You should know that it occurs when the patient’s joints become inflamed from Lyme disease bacteria, there is a possibility of it developing to chronic arthritis, the condition may be treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications, and the best solution is to prevent and treat Lyme disease as early as possible.

Anyone bitten by an infected tick can get Lyme disease. They first noticed the disease in 1975 when rheumatoid arthritis cases among children began to increase. Research revealed that ticks infected with Borelia burgdorferi bacteria were the cause behind the illness. some Lyme disease symptoms are quite the same with symptoms of other diseases like flu. As a result, people may choose to ignore it. In the last stages of Lyme disease, patients may experience Lyme arthritis. The condition is somewhat similar to inflammatory arthritis. The following are some Lyme arthritis facts that you need to know about:

It occurs when the patient’s joints become inflamed from Lyme disease bacteria

According to specialists, there are several stages of Lyme disease. At the earliest, the symptoms are somewhat similar to flu symptoms like fever, chills, head and body aches. if it is left untreated, the infection will spread throughout the body. In later stages, Lyme arthritis will occur after the bacteria begin to inflame the joints. Knee and shoulder joints are often the parts affected with Lyme arthritis. Other symptoms that manifest in the late stage of Lyme disease are severe headaches, anxiety and mood disorders.

Chronic arthritis may follow

Some research has revealed that chronic arthritis may develop from an estimated 10% of untreated cases of Lyme disease. Chronic arthritis is described as a continuous inflammation of the patient’s joints that can last for a year or more. Fluid buildup, redness and swelling of patient’s joints are common symptoms of this condition.

It can affect people of all age groups

Lyme disease and Lyme arthritis can affect children and adults alike. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) revealed that the most common sufferers of Lyme disease are children between 5 and 9 years old and adults older than 30. Additionally, patients in 33% of the total number of reported cases experienced Lyme arthritis.

Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications may be used for treating it

Antibiotics may be used to treat Lyme arthritis. A positive response rate of over 90% was reached with intravenous ceftriaxone; making it the most successful treatment. Ibuprofen can ease the pain of someone suffering from swelling, or inflammation. but, there are certain cases that do not respond so well to these treatments. In those rare instances, the bacteria are believed to have become resistant to the antibiotic treatment.

The best way to solve this problem is through prevention and early treatment

Since Lyme arthritis is a symptom of the late stage of Lyme disease, the best way to prevent it is to prevent or immediately treat Lyme disease. Knowing the symptoms, treatment and prevention of Lyme disease is very important.

Lyme arthritis is a cause for much concern, but the effects of this condition can still be prevented and treated.

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A guide to dog allergy symptoms, its causes and the signs to look out for… There are many causes of allergies in dogs ranging from food, Fleas, Ticks, Bacteria, Dust, Smoke, Pollen, Mites and lots more (too many to mention in one article)! However, we have covered most of the causes and the best treatment to give your pooch some relief (because an allergic reaction can lead to some very unpleasant symptoms). Anyway lets get started…

48 hours ago, I got a slight puncture by a rusty nail. I haven't had a tetanus shot in forever. Over the past 24 hours, I've been having muscle tics…in almost every location….arch of the foot, above the knee, arms and wrists, around the lips, the jaw, the neck, etc. Are muscle tics an early symptom of lockjaw? Or am I simply deficient in a mineral or something?

If you haven't had the ticks before, then I would go to your doctor immediately and get a tetanus shot.

If you don't go and you get through it or whatever – then go and get a tetanus shot for future references. It's a horrible infection.

absolutely yeah you should go to the doctor wright now

You couldn't possibly have tetanus symptoms in such a short time. I suggest the symptoms are due to something else, but having said that, you should see a nurse/doctor and let them decide what to do. As you have not got the tetanus shot before, my guess is that they will give it to you.

what are the symptoms for lyme disease and ticks in dogs???

Coooooooo did a great job of answering. In addition to the clinical symptoms she lists, many vets now do yearly Lymes tests during annual exam. If you live in an area where deer ticks are prevalent, I highly recommend the annual tests. Two of my dogs have tested positive, despite the fact that I use Frontline. I even had a friend who contracted Lymes when we were on a hike with our dogs; we hiked Saturday and she was already having symptoms on Sunday, and diagnosed Monday.

I've heard questionable things about the vaccines, and I have not chosen to go that route for either myself or my dogs despite the obvious Lymes risk in my area.