TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) urges Kansans to take steps this year to prevent tick bites as approaching warmer weather increases tick activity throughout the state. Several tick species in Kansas are capable of transmitting diseases to people, including Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and the allergy Alpha-Gal Syndrome, also referred to as the red meat allergy.
“Ticks are commonly found in grassy, wooded, and brush-covered areas and can be present in backyards, parks, and along trails,” KDHE State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Erin Petro said. “While most tick bites do not result in illness, tick bite prevention remains the most effective way to reduce the risk of disease.”
The most important protection against tickborne diseases is preventing tick bites before they happen. KDHE recommends using EPA-registered insect repellent containing ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus when spending time outdoors. Clothing and gear can be treated with products containing permethrin for added protection. When possible, wear long sleeves and long pants, tuck pants into socks, and walk in the center of trails. Taking these simple precautions can significantly reduce the likelihood of tick bites.
After coming indoors, individuals should check their entire body for ticks, including under the arms, behind the knees, around the waist, behind the ears, and in the hair. Ticks are related to spiders and are small, flat, and oval shaped, with tiny mouthparts, a main body section that becomes larger as the tick feeds, and eight legs. They can range from the size of a poppy seed to an apple seed. As they feed, they become larger and rounder, appearing like a small bump or mole attached to the skin. Parents should check children carefully after outdoor activities. Showering within two hours of coming indoors and placing clothing in the dryer on high heat for at least ten minutes can help remove or kill ticks.
If a tick is found, remove it promptly using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible and pull outward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting, jerking, crushing, or squeezing the tick. After removal, clean the bite area and wash your hands with soap and water. If you find and remove an attached tick, dispose of it by flushing down the toilet, placing in alcohol, or placing between two pieces of tape.
Monitor for symptoms of tickborne disease including fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, or rash for two weeks after a tick bite. Antibiotic treatment is not needed unless you develop symptoms. Anyone who develops symptoms after a tick bite or outdoor exposure in a tick habitat should contact their healthcare provider and mention possible tick exposure. Be sure to also protect your four-legged family members by keeping pets on veterinarian-approved flea and tick preventatives year-round.
Learn more about ticks and tickborne diseases in Kansas at our Tickborne Disease in Kansas webpage.
