Tick season has reached the Buckeye State with more public attention than ever.
The number of blood-sucking parasites has grown in recent years, according to Karen Pryor, education and outreach manager for the Richland County Park District.
“People don’t need to be frightened of ticks, but they should be cautious,” Pryor said. “Don’t let ticks keep you from going outside and enjoying nature.”
Emergency room visits for tick bites are higher than normal this year nationwide, the CDC said in a news release.
“Preventing tick bites is considered the best form of protection throughout tick season,” the CDC noted. “If individuals do find an attached tick, they should remove it as soon as possible, and not wait to get to the ER. Removing attached ticks within 24 hours can help prevent Lyme disease.”
Black-legged ticks can carry Lyme disease
Of the two types of ticks found in Richland County, the American dog tick, found in grassy areas and meadows, is the most common. Dog ticks are not known to carry Lyme.
The other tick in the Mansfield area is the black-legged tick, known as the deer tick, and it thrives in brush and other wooded areas.
“These ticks are the ones that are vectors for Lyme disease, as well as some other less common illnesses,” Pryor said. “While all ticks are active whenever the weather is above freezing, black-legged ticks are most active in spring and early summer, and then again late fall.”
Black-legged ticks are well-established throughout Ohio and all neighboring states.
“A third kind of tick has been moving into our area more, and that is the lone star tick,” Pyror said. “The lone star tick also prefers wooded areas and can spread tick-borne illnesses.”
How do ticks get on you?
Ticks are well-equipped to find hosts, which can be people and their pets.
“They hang out on the ends of grasses or branches, often at the edges of paths that are frequented by dogs or deer or other hosts,” Pryor said.
The insects grasp the foliage with their back legs while their front legs are extended, waiting for their next host — meal, that is — to pass by.
“When an animal or human brushes against the plants, the tick snags hold and climbs on,” Pryor said. “Frequently, they climb to more hidden areas before they bite, often around the ears, groin, waistline, armpits and hairline.”
Adult ticks are easy to see, but nymphs, which also bite, are tiny and can escape detection.
Bull’s-eye rash can indicated Lyme disease
Strategies to prevent tick bites include wearing long pants, tucking in shirts and stuffing pant legs inside socks.
Repellents help, especially products with DEET for skin and permethrin for clothing.
“Stay on paths and check skin and clothing regularly, removing ticks as soon as you discover them,” Pryor said. “If you have to remove a tick that is already attached, use tweezers to grasp ticks as close to their mouths as possible and pull firmly.”
Never try to burn or suffocate a tick to get it to let go, as those old wives tales actually increase the risk of spreading disease.
“Make note of where the tick was attached and watch for any unusual symptoms or a bull’s-eye rash, which can indicate Lyme disease,” Pryor said. “Just take precautions to thoroughly check yourself and your pets for ticks after spending time outdoors.”
Contact Zach Tuggle at 419-564-3508. Follow him on X at @zachtuggle.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Tick season arrives in Ohio. Are you protected?
Reporting by Zach Tuggle, Mansfield News Journal / Mansfield News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Zach Tuggle, Mansfield News Journal | USA TODAY Network
