By Kimberly Spivack-Roelike, CNP, Family Medicine and Walk-In Clinic
It’s the season for more outdoor adventures to begin. If you are going to the lake, hiking in the woods, or setting up a good camping spot, there is something you should be aware of. Ticks—they’re small, they’re sneaky, and they can make you sick. But don’t worry, they’re not all bad. They’re just doing their thing in nature, but sometimes, they end up biting humans and spreading a nasty infection called Lyme disease.
In Minnesota, adult ticks typically emerge as soon as the snow melts and are most active through May. You’ll usually find them in wooded areas, grassy fields, and even your backyard. Tick activity can continue into summer and sometimes into fall. Did you know that ticks go dormant during the winter months when temperatures drop below freezing, but can remain active during the winter. – ew right? Ticks can bite and cause an infection called Lyme disease. It is caused by a bacteria with a fancy name, Borrelia burgdorferi.
Meet Minnesota’s Tick Family
- Blacklegged tick (also known as deer tick)
- The smallest of the bunch.
- The main tick is to carry Lyme disease.
- American dog tick
- The largest of this group.
- The most common tick to bite you in Minnesota, and rarely spreads diseases. It could spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.
- Lone star tick
- Least common and rarely found in Minnesota, but it can spread diseases such as ehrlichiosis and tularemia.
Lifecycle of Ticks
Each tick has a life cycle that starts as a teeny egg, grows into a larva, then a nymph, and eventually an adult. But here are two key points:
- Can a nymph tick transmit Lyme disease? Yes!
- Do all ticks carry Lyme disease? Nope! Only about 1% to 50% of ticks are infected with Lyme disease, depending on where you are.
Fun Fact: Deer + Tick= Weird Relationship
So, the tick might be called a Deer Tick, but here’s the twist: deer can’t actually get Lyme disease. They’re immune to the bacteria. What happens is this:
- A deer tick bites an infected mouse (which does carry Lyme disease).
- The tick then travels on a deer (or another animal) to grab more blood.
- Finally, it gets dropped off and hello, it might land on you.
How to Spot Lyme Disease, Plus Testing and Treatment:
A tick must be attached for more than 24 hours before Lyme disease bacterium can be spread to you, and symptoms can develop within 30 days of an infected tick bite.
Common early symptoms include:
- Red, circular rash (bulls-eye)
- Fever and chills
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Muscle aches
- Stiff neck
Going to your primary provider to be evaluated is helpful. Lab tests can help determine if there is an infection. Treatment includes antibiotics but also depends on the symptoms as well.
Preventing Lyme Disease: Keep the Ticks at Bay
- Cover up: Wear long sleeves and pants. Tuck your pant legs into your socks. (Fashion statement or tick prevention? You decide.)
- Go light: Wear light-colored clothing so ticks are easier to spot.
- Spray up: Use insect repellent on exposed skin (bonus: Permethrin works great for clothing).
- Post-adventure check: After coming inside, take a shower and thoroughly check your skin, especially your scalp (where ticks like to hide).
How do I remove a tick?
- Wear gloves if possible.
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick near the mouth firmly (not the body).
- Slowly pull the tick away from the skin.
- Wash the bite area with soap and water.
- Flush the tick down the drain!
What NOT to do When Removing a Tick:
- Never burn the tick that is attached to you.
- Do not twist or rock the tick out from side to side. Pull it straight up and out.
- Do not use nail polish remover or Vaseline.
- Do not squeeze the tick – this can cause it to spit out some of its stomach contents back into you.
- Do not wait to see your primary provider if you think you might have Lyme disease.
If you take the right precautions, you can avoid Lyme disease and keep ticks at bay. Stay smart, stay safe, and keep those creepy crawlers where they belong — out in nature, not on you!
