3 days ago
Uptick in tick bites reported in Central Pennsylvania emergency rooms
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — With summer temperatures reaching Central Pennsylvania, emergency rooms are noticing an uptick in ticks.
'The seasons are now changing and so we're doing a lot more outdoor stuff,' said Nsikak Daniel, M.D., an emergency room physician at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown. 'Ticks are just one of those things you kind of get when you go out into the woods.'
While children and older adults may have the most adverse reactions to tick bites, everyone should take precautions.
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'Wear clothing that covers you up, you know, socks and stuff like that with your shoes. Insect repellents sometimes can help,' Daniels said.
Lyme Disease is a common illness carried by ticks, often characterized by a bullseye–shaped rash around a bite. While it's become more prevalent, Daniels said it's not the only thing you should worry about.
'One of the complications a lot of people don't think about is something that's called anaplasmosis. It's a very serious, tick borne illness and it's something that can affect your bloodstream. It can affect your organs and cause organ damage,' Daniels said.
If you get bit and have any concerns that you did not remove the tick or notice signs of infection such as fever or a rash, you should go to the emergency room immediately.
Veterinarians also said they're seeing a rise in bites and infections in dogs. They said the best way to keep your furry friend safe is to use medications and repellents, mow your lawn and avoid high risk areas like tall grass and wooded areas during tick season.
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