Spring is the start of peak tick season in New Jersey. While ticks can be removed, the illnesses they often leave behind can be serious if left untreated.
Ramanasri Kudipudi, MD, an infectious disease expert at CentraState, shares information on common tick-borne illnesses found in our area, prevention tips and what to do if bitten.
“It’s not just Lyme disease; one tick can carry multiple diseases,” Dr. Kudipudi says.
Common types of tick-borne diseases
- Lyme disease: The most familiar tick-borne diseases. Blacklegged ticks (deer ticks) can transmit this.
- Ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis: Spread by The Lone Star, American dog, and deer ticks.
- Rickettsia infections: Includes Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which can be fatal if not treated quickly.
- Babesiosis: The severity of infection depends on the Babesia species and the immune status of the host.
Possible signs you have a tick-related illness:
Symptoms include fatigue, fever, headache, confusion, muscle pain, nausea, joint swelling, memory issues and rashes.
Lyme disease can include the symptoms above as well as a bull’s eye rash, temporary paralysis of facial muscles, heart problems, arthritis, skin irritation and cognitive issues.
Seek medical care if symptoms appear, even if you didn’t notice a tick bite or rash. Your doctor may order bloodwork if a tick-borne illness is suspected and will prescribe treatments if an illness is confirmed.
What to do if you find a tick
Use tweezers to grasp the tick by the head and pull straight up. Don’t crush or squeeze the tick. If you don’t think you can remove the tick safely at home, book an appointment with your doctor or visit an urgent care center.
Seeing and removing a tick early reduces the risk for disease transmission. If you remove a tick before it becomes engorged, medical care might not be necessary unless symptoms arise.
See an engorged tick? It’s likely been on you for 36-plus hours. Remove it and call your doctor to discuss treatment options. You may want to take a photo to help identify the species.
Preventing Tick-borne Illnesses
The best way to keep yourself safe is to prevent tick bites. Below, Dr. Kudipudi shares her outdoor safety tips, particularly for areas with woods or tall grass:
- Use tick spray.
- Wear closed-toe shoes.
- Tuck pants into socks.
- Wear long-sleeves.
- Check yourself and family members after time outdoors.
“Look between the toes and fingers, behind the ears and in the belly button and groin area,” says Dr. Kudipudi. “These are ticks’ favorite locations.”
FIND A PHYSICIAN
To find a physician, visit CentraState Medical Center’s online Physician Finder.
