Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Give Tick Safety Tips

Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - In the midst of tick season, the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts are providing tick safety tips to spread awareness and prevent tick-related illness .

“Tick bites can lead to a number of potentially serious illnesses,” said Richmond and Henrico Deputy Director Melissa Viray, MD. “It's important to take a few key steps to protect yourself and your family."

Tick bites are associated with medical problems including but not limited to: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme Disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis.

The districts recommend taking the following steps to stay safe from tick-related illness throughout summer:

• Prepare for ticks before you go outside . Use an Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellent and tuck your pants into your socks , especially if you’re headed into a grassy or forested area. If you’re adventuring with kids, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your insect repellent has less than 30% DEET.

• Do tick checks . Once you’re indoors, inspect your clothing and body for ticks. Make sure you’ve checked in areas where a tick could hide easily, like your hair, behind or in your ears, under your arms, and in your belly button.

• Remove ticks correctly . If you find a tick, use tweezers and grip the insect as close to your skin as possible. Pull directly up with steady, even pressure until the tick releases. Don’t “squish” the tick. Clean the area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.

• Identify the tick . It can be helpful to identify any tick that bites you so that if you get sick, you and your care providers have more information. Use the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) tick identification chart to identify the tick. You can save the tick in a bag or container with rubbing alcohol or submit a tick survey and photo to VDH.

• Seek care . If you start feeling sick or develop symptoms like a rash or fever a few days or weeks after a tick bite, make sure to tell your medical provider that you were bitten by a tick.