What pops into your head when someone mentions summer? Is it the days staying cool at the nearest public swimming pool? What about the fond memories stirred by family backyard barbecues? Of course, we have the nation’s pastime of baseball, which has defined summers for more than 150 years. Another common thread that weaves into the fabric of summer does not conjure up similar fond memories.
We are talking about ticks and the diseases they leave behind.
Summer is the season when ticks make their presence known. The warmest months of the year present the ideal conditions for ticks to thrive, especially if summer is preceded by a mild winter and wet spring. As a highly-rated insurance provider, Acadia Insurance wants our customers to remain healthy throughout the year, and one of the best ways to stay healthy is to learn more about ticks in the summers.
Overview of Ticks
Ticks are small insects that live in forests, as well as areas where leaf piles or tall grass provide sufficient shelter to protect against the sun and heat. This pest attaches to people and animals, and then crawls around the skin until it finds a prime spot for drawing blood. Ticks remain active from late spring through early fall typically until the first frost. For example, New England healthcare providers report tick bite cases starting in early June and running through September. If you spend time in the woods or dense grassy areas, then you are a candidate for a tick bite. The same applies to a family pet like a dog. You might not recognize that a tick has bitten you until you start to develop the symptoms of a tick-caused illness.
What Are the Most Common Illnesses Caused by Ticks?
Where you live determines the risk of developing certain tick-borne diseases. For example, a resident of a Northeastern state should be concerned about a tick-borne illness such as Lyme disease, while a resident of a Midwestern state like Missouri might have to deal with a tick-related illness such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Regardless of where your live, the illnesses caused by ticks share some common symptoms. The infections usually develop flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, headache, and body aches. If not detected in an early stage, an illness caused by a tick bite like Lyme disease can develop more serious symptoms such as severe joint pain and swelling.
If you detect one or more of the signs of a tick bite, act with a sense of urgency by undergoing a series of diagnostic tests to determine the underlying reason for your healthcare issues. Diagnostic tests commonly include analyzing blood for antibodies, which often leads to the prescription of an antibiotic.
Where Should I Look for Ticks in the Summer?
Ticks draw blood from any part of the body, but some areas of the body attract ticks more than other sections. Check every joint area, as well as between the legs for ticks after spending time outdoors. Ticks love to hide in skin folds and inside the navel. They are particularly hard to detect when they move into the hairline or behind the ears and knees. After landing on the legs, ticks take the shortest journey to their blood source, which means the waist is a prime location for them to draw blood.
The most effective way to detect the presence of ticks is to take a hot shower immediately after spending time outdoors. Ticks that are still crawling in search of a blood source are easy to wash off the body. If you find one or more ticks that have attached to the skin, follow the CDC’s guidance for removing ticks.
Tips for Preventing Tick Bites
Ticks cannot fly or jump, which means the public health nuisance must depend on you to come in contact with them while you are outdoors. Walking in the center of trails, especially ones that are cleared, is one way to prevent tick bites. Wearing long pants and a long sleeve shirt prevents a tick from making instant contact with the skin, but it does not mean a tick cannot crawl under a garment to find a spot on the skin to attach. Stay away from dense grass and wooded areas whenever it is possible. This is particularly true for the family pet that cannot take the same preventive steps as its human friend. Spray an insect repellant approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and above all, check your body and clothes for ticks after spending time outdoors.
When Should I Receive Urgent Medical Care for a Tick Bite?
Not every tick bite requires immediate medical care, but some cases do require victims to take immediate action by seeking urgent care. If you think a tick has attached to your body for more than 36 hours, seek urgent medical care. The longer a tick remains attached to the skin, the more likely a victim suffers from the development of Lyme disease symptoms. If you detect a rash or a bullseye pattern on a portion of your skin, or develop flu-like symptoms such as joint and muscle pain, you should act with a sense of urgency by receiving immediate medical attention.
There for You: Acadia Insurance
At Acadia, we’re all about helping businesses throughout the Northeast thrive. Our mission is to provide superior service and product as close to you as possible, providing you with the backing you need to proceed with confidence.
We understand what you want most from your insurance is security and peace of mind. That means knowing you are backed by an insurance provider who will support you every step of the way to help you protect your business.
With Acadia, not only can you get coverage tailored to your needs, but you will also receive support from dedicated claims professionals to guide you through the claim process in the event of a loss. That way, you know exactly what to expect. Knowing your claims professional by name and a hand shake – that’s “Closer Coverage”. Get to know more about how we work and find an agent near you by going to the Find an Agent section on our public website (www.acadiainsurance.com).
Acadia is pleased to share this material for the benefit of its customers. Please note, however, that nothing herein should be construed as either legal advice or the provision of professional consulting services. This material is for informational purposes only, and while reasonable care has been utilized in compiling this information, no warranty or representation is made as to accuracy or completeness. Recipients of this material must utilize their own judgment in implementing sound risk management practices and procedures.
