Keeping Yourself Safe from Ticks this Season

Ticks are on the rise this season, so be cautious before spending time outdoors.

It is always important to take preventative measures against ticks, as they can carry serious and possibly fatal diseases. Matt Hemmer of the Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department talked to us about ways to keep you safe this season.

“Ticks are most prevalent in wooded areas and brushy areas with tall grass, so things you can do to protect yourself are to avoid those areas, if possible, and if hiking, remain in the center of a trail,” Hemmer said.

The number one tick-borne illness is Lyme disease, but ticks carry a number of other diseases as well. If left untreated, Lyme disease may cause arthritis and neurological disorders. Symptoms of tick-born illness include: bulls-eye shaped rash, fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches and joint pain. Always check for ticks after spending ample time outdoors.

“If people do need to go outside or want to go outside and enjoy outdoors activities, we recommend that they cover up using long sleeve clothing and long pants, and also that they use a repellent with DEET,” Hemmer said.

The Health Department also advises citizens to bathe as soon as possible after returning from wooded areas.