How can I protect myself and my family from tick bites?
When outdoors in areas where there may be ticks, wear long pants and sleeves. Don’t wear shorts, sleeveless shirts, or sandals. Tuck pants into socks or boots, and shirts into pants. Light-colored clothing makes it easier to see ticks before they attach to the skin.
The insect repellents that work for mosquitoes are effective against ticks. Look for formulas containing DEET. These should be applied according to the label instructions only. Insect-repellent clothing is also available. Children should not apply concentrations of DEET higher than 10%.
Ticks are often found in brush, tall grass, or leaf litter. When hiking, walk in the center of the trail. Avoid grassy or brushy areas, and don’t hike off the trail.
After outdoor activities in areas where there may be ticks, check yourself, your children, your pets, and your gear carefully for ticks. Remember to check areas that cannot be easily seen, such as inside and around ears, on the scalp, and under arms. Showering soon after being outdoors can help rinse away unattached ticks, and will allow you to check all areas of your body.
What should I do if I am bitten by a tick?
Even if you are bitten by an infected tick, removing it promptly can reduce your chances of becoming infected with a tick-borne disease. Always check yourself for ticks after outdoor activity, and if you find one remove it right away. In most cases, a tick removed within 48 hours of attachment will not transmit disease.
Use tweezers or tissue (not bare hands) to grasp the tick as close to the surface of the skin as possible. If ticks are crushed with bare fingertips, exposure to the tick body fluids may lead to transmission of the disease organisms.
Pull away from the skin using steady, even pressure. Don’t jerk or twist the tick. Never try to burn or smother a tick.
After removal, wash the bite area and your hands with soap and water, or use a disinfectant solution.
Save the tick for identification and testing. Place the tick in a plastic bag containing a wet paper towel. Ticks can be brought to the District office for identification only or submitted to the County Health Laboratory, located at 225 West 37th Street, Room 113, San Mateo, California for testing. For more information, call (650) 573-2500.
Consult a health professional if you are unable to completely remove a tick, or if you develop a rash or fever after being bitten by a tick.
