BrightStar Care of Charlotte Provides Care for Patients with Lyme Disease and Other Tick Borne Illnesses
An Asian tick capable of reproducing at remarkable speed and gorging on so much blood that it kills itself has been found in North Carolina. The long-horned tick was first found on a white-tailed deer in Washington County in June and was confirmed on July 27, state health officials said.
The long-horned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, was first seen in the U.S. in New Jersey, and has since been found in many suburban areas surrounding New York City. The Maryland Department of Health just reported that the long-horned tick has been found in eight states, including New Jersey, West Virginia, Virginia, Arkansas, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and now North Carolina.
People are urged to use repellants, and check themselves and others for ticks after being in the woods or walking through long grass. Ticks are usually found in tall grasses, meadows, pastures and wooded areas.
Protect yourself, your family, livestock and pets from tick bites by following these tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone.
- Use products that contain permethrin on clothing. Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin. It remains protective through several washings. Pre-treated clothing is available and may be protective longer.
- The Environmental Protection Agency has an online tool to help you select the repellent that is best for you and your family.
- Avoid ticks by staying on walking paths, trails, or pavement. In woodlands or grassy areas wear long pants that you tuck into your socks and light colored clothing so you spot ticks as they move.
- Always remember to apply repellents.
- Put your cloths directly in a clothes dryer when you get home, because the heat will kill ticks.
- Inspect yourself, your family, and your pets thoroughly when you get home and when taking a shower.
- Remove ticks right away by firmly grasping it as close to your skin as possible using a pair of tweezers and slowly pull the tick out. Cleanse the area with antiseptic.
- Bathe or shower within two hours to wash off and more easily find ticks that are crawling on you.
- Conduct a full-body tick check using a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body upon return from tick-infested areas.
- Parents should check their children for ticks under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and especially in their hair.
- Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors. If the clothes require washing first, use hot water. If the clothes cannot be washed in hot water, tumble dry on low heat for 90 minutes or high heat for 60 minutes. The clothes should be warm and completely dry.
BrightStar Care of Charlotte supports patients with Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Learn more about our care services by visiting our website.
Source: https://patch.com/north-carolina/charlotte/new-tick-species-lays-2-000-eggs-found-nc