CCG – Ohioans should be mindful of unwanted guests as the weather warms and outdoor activities gain popularity: ticks. This season, there will likely be an increase in the number of these microscopic arachnids in Ohio.
They are known to spread diseases like Lyme disease. By being aware of the dangers of tick bites and adopting preventative steps, you may shield your loved ones and yourself from illnesses spread by ticks.
Ticks are parasitic critters that consume animal and human blood. Since they are typically found in woodland regions, long grasses, and bushes, hiking, camping, and gardening are excellent outdoor activities that increase the likelihood of coming across them. Certain tick species, like the black-legged tick (commonly called the deer tick), can transfer deadly illnesses to their hosts even if they do not all carry diseases.
The bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi is the cause of Lyme disease, one of the most alarming illnesses that ticks may carry. Early signs of Lyme disease might include fever, headache, exhaustion, and a bull’s-eye-shaped skin rash. Lyme disease can cause more serious side effects that impact the heart, joints, and neurological system if it is not treated.
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Ticks can also spread anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever in addition to Lyme disease. These illnesses can present with a variety of symptoms, ranging from fever and aches in the muscles to more serious issues that need to be treated by a doctor.
How to Measure Risk?
Ohio people are advised to adopt the following safety measures to lower their risk of tick bites and diseases carried by ticks:
1. Use Insect Repellent:
Before going outside, spray exposed skin and clothing with insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or permethrin. Comply with the manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure safe and efficient usage.
2. Wear Protective Clothes:
To reduce your skin’s exposure to tick bites, wear long sleeves, long pants, socks, and closed-toe shoes when spending time outside in grassy or forested regions.
3. Check for Ticks:
Make sure you, your kids, and your pets are free of ticks after spending time outside. Particularly pay attention to regions like the groin, behind the ears, around the waist, and on the scalp.
4. Make Your Yard Tick-Safe:
To lessen tick habitat, keep your grass clipped short, clear away leaf litter, and erect a gravel or wood chip barrier between your lawn and any forested areas. For added protection, think about employing expert pest control services or applying tick control solutions.
5. Shower After Outdoor Activities:
You may help get rid of ticks that might be crawling on your skin by taking a shower no later than two hours after you enter your home. To properly inspect for ticks, use a washcloth, and then wash your clothing in hot water to eliminate any ticks that could be hiding.
Conclusion
Ohioans can enjoy a safer outdoor experience this season and lower their risk of insect bites and illnesses transmitted by ticks by using these preventive steps.
Recall that if you experience any symptoms of a disease carried by ticks, you should seek medical assistance, remain vigilant, and keep informed. By taking the necessary safety measures, you can shield your family and yourself from the risks posed by ticks in Ohio.
