(5/11) I have a renewed interest in Lyme and other tick-borne diseases because of witnessing an increasing number of deer ticks in Pennsylvania and subsequently attending a meeting on the topic at the York County Extension Office. Sources for this article include primarily York County Extension, East Stroudsburg University and data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Did you know that Pennsylvania is the #1 state in confirmed Lyme disease cases? Ticks and the risk of Lyme disease exist in every county in Pennsylvania. All 67 counties have residents who have been diagnosed with the disease. For this reason, the month of May has been designated as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.

I enjoy writing articles that are informative and enjoyable. This article is meant to be informative, but I fear it is more sobering than it is enjoyable. Very simply, arm yourself with adequate information and take precautionary measures. Avoiding ticks and demonstrating caution is key. Early detection is necessary.

Lyme and other tick-borne diseases (TBD) can be serious but are preventable by avoiding high-risk areas, wearing proper clothing and repellent, carefully examining yourself and pets, and properly removing and disposing of any ticks you find. A study found that people wearing permethrin-treated sneakers and socks were 74 times less likely to have a tick bite. 74 times less likely! Permethrin is a chemical class of insecticide. It is available online and across the counter under several name brands. Learn more about Permethrin online at Wikipedia or WebMD.

Ticks are tiny arachnids that cannot jump or fly. They carry disease they pick up from other animals. They are opportunists that jump on any ride they can get. Deer ticks can survive the winter by riding on the warm body of a deer until spring when they may jump off into the brushy edges of meadows and woodlands and then lay up to 4,000 eggs. Their life cycle is 2 years; the nymph stage is most likely to transmit disease. A nymph is the size of the 12-font period.

When not traveling through thickets, ticks dwell in grass, leaf matter and on wood. They latch onto your lower legs, crawling upwards on your body, seeking warm, dark areas on which to attach. When hiking, stay in the middle of the path. Urban sprawl has contributed to a growing habitat for ticks. Tick habitat is on the increase in grassy edges of woodlands and fields as land is subdivided, and ticks love it.

Wear light clothing, long pants and shirts, socks and suitable footwear. Ticks will not survive 30 minutes in the dryer when they have attached to clothing, so anytime you have been in tick territory, take extra precautions – even with laundry. Apply insect repellents – both traditional and conventional in nature. Consider purchasing permethrin as recommended above. Check yourself, your children and your dogs.

The deer tick is one of 4 common ticks in PA – the other 3 are the American Dog Tick which is probably the most familiar, the Groundhog Tick and the Lone Star Tick which has a white dot (or star) on its back.

While Lyme is the most prevalent tick-borne disease in PA, there are at least 9 others including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has identified Lyme disease as the fastest growing disease in the US. For more information on Lyme disease, other tick-borne diseases and associated risks, please visit www.palyme.org

In the unfortunate circumstance of an attached tick on you or anyone else, grasp the tick with tweezers as close to the skin as possible. Gently pull up slowly. Wait for tick to release. Do not twist.

Clean hands and bite area with soap and water or antiseptic. Tape tick to an index card and store in sealed bag in the freezer for 2-3 months. If symptoms develop, see your doctor. Otherwise, discard the segregated, frozen specimen. Symptoms can include a bulls-eye rash and flu-like symptoms.

Finally, become familiar with the word DARE to remember how to best stay safe here in tick country:

D – Defend you, your family and your property.

A – Avoid tick habitat.

R – Remember to dry clothes on high heat and shower within 2 hours of possible exposure to flush off a tick before it has an opportunity to attach.

E – Eliminate ticks.

As with any threat to our health and well-being, quality of life is paramount and simply considering what puts us at risk is important. I spend a lot of time in the outdoors and enjoy every minute. However, I can tell you that I avoid high grass when I can. I do stay in the middle of the path when hiking or biking. And I always check carefully when I come inside for signs of ticks – our dog gets close scrutiny, as well.

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