As temperatures rise and outdoor activities increase, so does the risk of tick bites and the illnesses they can carry. Ticks are small, parasitic arachnids commonly found in wooded, brushy, and grassy areas. While tiny in size, these pests can pose a serious health threat to both humans and animals.

Common Tick-Borne Illnesses

Ticks can transmit several diseases, including:

• Alpha-Gal Syndrome – Unlike traditional infections, this tick-related condition results in an allergic reaction to red meat, triggered by a tick bite. Alpha-gal is most often associated with bites from the Lone Star tick.
• Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis – These bacterial infections can cause flu-like symptoms such as chills, headache, muscle aches, and confusion. Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis have similar clinical presentations, but they are transmitted by two different species of ticks, one being the Lone Star Tick (can be identified by a white spot on its back). Treatment for both consists of antibiotics and can be serious if not diagnosed early.
• Lyme Disease –Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Symptoms often include fever, fatigue, headache, and a distinctive bullseye ring rash that appears around the bite site. If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to joint pain, neurological problems, and other serious complications.
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) – RMSF is the most common tick-borne disease in Arkansas according to the Arkansas Department of Health (healthy.arkansas.gov) Spread primarily by the American dog tick, and sometimes the Brown dog tick, RMSF can be dangerous. Early signs include fever, rash, nausea, and muscle pain. Prompt treatment with antibiotics is critical.
• Southern Tick Associated Rash Illness (STARI) – STARI presents a rash similar to Lyme disease, and may also present fatigue, fever, headache, muscle and joint pains. Also caused by the bite of a lone star tick.
• Tularemia – Though rare, tularemia can be transmitted through tick bites and causes skin ulcers, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Although a tick bite is one way to contract tularemia, humans can also become infected through deer fly bites, contact with infected animals (especially rodents, rabbits, and hares), drinking contaminated water, among other things. For more information on tularemia, visit https://www.cdc.gov/tularemia/about/.

Prevention Tips

The best way to avoid tick-borne illness is to prevent tick bites altogether:

• Watch Where You Walk – Ticks wait for a host to brush against a low growing plant so they can find a place on the host to cling to. If able, avoid tick-infested areas such as tall grass and wooded areas
• Dress Smart – Wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes when walking in grassy or wooded areas. Light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks.
• Use Repellent – Use an EPA-registered insect repellant. Treat clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin when possible. Follow label instructions carefully.
• Check Yourself – After spending time outdoors, thoroughly check yourself, kids, and pets for ticks. Pay close attention to hidden areas such as underarms, behind the knees, in the hair (scalp), behind the ears, and around the waist.
• Shower Soon After Being Outdoors – Showering within two hours of coming inside may help remove unattached ticks and reduce the risk of infection.
• Remove Ticks Safely – Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull upward with steady pressure. Clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you have a bite from a tick or an insect bite from an unknown source, monitor the bite and symptoms very closely. If you notice symptoms such as a bullseye ring rash, fever, fatigue, muscle aches, or joint pain after a tick bite, it’s important to talk to a medical professional. Symptoms can start as early as a few days after the bite, or a few weeks after the bite. Contact your primary care provider or call the on-call nurse to discuss your symptoms and get guidance on next steps. Most tick-related illnesses can be treated effectively in a clinic setting if caught early.

Tick bites are not usually emergencies. Unless you are experiencing severe symptoms—such as high fever, confusion, chest pain, or difficulty breathing—the emergency room is not necessary. Your provider’s office is the best place to start. Follow the link to find a clinic near you. https://whiteriverhealth.org/l...

Ticks may be small, but the health risks they carry are big. Stay safe this season by taking the right precautions.

For more information or resources, visit:

• https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/diseases-conditions/diseases-from-animals-insects/tickborne-disease/
• https://www.cdc.gov/vector-borne-diseases/prevention/index.html