Prepare for Ticks- Removal and Repellent

Contrary to the current weather, spring and summer are fast approaching, bringing the usual bugs with them.

The ‘Bugs and Sun’ presentation held by UP Health System Portage on Friday provided some information on how to keep yourself safe from ticks and the sun.

Doctor Keith Wright spoke on identifying ticks and the proper way to remove them from your skin. 

“One example, which is still pretty uncommon still to this day is something called a Lone Star Tick. This is not very common, you’re not going to see it at least much for right now. It’s identified [with] a single dot on its back. Our second tick is going to be very common, is the the American [Dog] Tick. These are very common throughout [the area], you’ll see plenty of these. They can carry diseases [but] they’re going to be pretty rare. These are ticks that are- I would describe them as having two toned appearance with kind of stripes. So the back of them will either have stripes running up and down the back like racing stripes, or it might have multiple colors in it. Our last tick on our list is typically going to be called a Deer Tick. Very common up here- that’s where you’re going to see your lyme disease, and some of your other disorders. I would describe it as a brown and a black tick. It almost looks like it’s wearing a little shield or a cape on it.” – Adult Internal Medicine Physician at UP Health System Portage in Hancock, Doctor Keith Wright

The American Dog Tick is also commonly known as the Wood Tick.

He warns people to simply use a tick key or a pair of tweezers, and to gently pull the head if there is any left in the skin .

“…Typically, [use] a pair of little tweezers that have a fine tip, or you can use something like a tick key…The technique either way is to grasp it right at the base of the skin and just gently pull. It’s not a contest of who’s stronger. The tick will be stronger. You just have to pull gently until it releases. Now with regards to the head- if a little bit stays in, you can go ahead and try to remove it if it’s easy to do so, but for the most part it can cause irritation or inflammation. Most the time, the head will come out. If after a few days it’s still inflamed, you may need to seek a medical professional to help you get the rest out…But again, the key part is just gently pulling on the tick right at the base of the head, not crushing it, just pulling it up ever so carefully.” – Adult Internal Medicine Physician at UP Health System Portage in Hancock, Doctor Keith Wright

To avoid being bit by ticks, he suggests buying and using clothing items that have been pre-treated with insect repellent.

He also suggests using insect repellent on your skin that is only 20-30% DEET. He says the 100% DEET is unnecessary, and when not used as directed, can cause health issues in small children who ingest it accidentally from their hands or around their mouth.