Latest news with #tickprevention
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Doctor raises red flag amid surge in one type of ER visit: 'Recognition is important'
Doctor raises red flag amid surge in one type of ER visit: 'Recognition is important' Doctors across the United States are reporting a rise in tick bites and medical care associated with them this summer. The trend has prompted health officials to remind people about tick prevention and removal. Higher numbers indicate the extent to which environmental changes affect public health. What's happening? Dr. Matt Harris at Northwell Medicine noticed an increase in tick removals while working at a summer youth camp in New York, according to NBC News. But it's not just in New York where tick bites are on the rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shared troubling data. The numbers in May (the typical peak month for hospital visits due to tick bites) reached 134 tick-related ER visits per 100,000 overall visits, according to the CDC, the highest since 2019. Public awareness may be contributing to early care, Harris said in the NBC report. Patients are more likely to seek treatment for ticks when they're smaller or less engorged. Why are more tick bites concerning? A rise in tick-related incidents may also be due in part to a migration of ticks into more populated areas, as another expert cited by NBC noted. Warmer temperatures and increased humidity also create favorable conditions for ticks to thrive, according to the report, and this may lead to longer tick seasons and put more people at risk. An overheating planet could broaden the geographic range of ticks as well. This expansion of tick habitats increases the chances of human encounters. Ticks can carry a variety of diseases, with Lyme disease being the most commonly diagnosed, per the Mayo Clinic. About half a million people are diagnosed with or treated for the disease every year, per the CDC. Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Not all tick bites result in infection, but the longer a tick remains attached, the higher the risk. The potential transmission of diseases from tick bites is a public health concern that has resulted in more ER visits, tests, and treatments for tick-borne illnesses. What can I do to help prevent tick bites? Protecting yourself, your family, and your friends from tick bites is crucial. When outdoors, especially in grassy or wooded areas, use insect repellent. Consider wearing long pants and long sleeves as well. After returning indoors, perform a thorough self-check for any ticks on your skin. If you find a tick, proper removal is key to reducing the risk of infection. Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible. Then, pull away from the skin with steady, even pressure. Avoid squeezing the tick's body, as this can increase the risk of infection. Harris emphasized that "recognition is important," as is quick removal. It's not a typical 911 emergency unless severe symptoms develop, but you should call your doctor or visit an urgent care clinic for more moderate bites. Following these simple precautions can help individuals reduce their risk of tick bites. Awareness, prevention, and attention will ensure healthier outdoor experiences for everyone. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
CTV News
06-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Tick treatment: N.B. pharmacist explains what to do if you've been bitten
Products used in the prevention and removal of ticks are pictured on a store shelf. Inside Ford's Family Pharmacy & Wellness Centre in Moncton, N.B., there's a shelf dedicate to tick-prevention and removal – items that Pharmacist and Owner, Peter Ford says are becoming more popular as tick bites rise across the Maritimes. 'I think we've done 12 cases so far,' said Ford. 'I think maybe last year we did two, so it's been pretty prevalent and they're even in people's gardens.' Ford says many clients remove the tick before coming into the pharmacy but it's not as simple as just brushing it off your arm or leg. 'Get a nice pair of tweezers or you can get a tick remover which kind of pinches the tick,' he said. 'You want to get the whole body out intact because that's how we evaluate whether or not it's a Lyme tick or not, or a deer tick, and how long it's been feeding by the size of the belly of the tick itself.' Ford says people need to preserve the tick in a jar, bag or vial so that it can be inspected to determine the proper treatment. 'The bullseye rash is not always present,' he said. 'Sometimes it's absent, like of the 12 that we've done I think I've only seen the bullseye rash once, so it's not always that common. Fever and flu-like symptoms are tell-tale signs of infection, said Ford. He said they monitor patients and prescribe dozycycline as necessary. The pharmacy follows up within 24 to 48 hours to make sure no other symptoms arise. 'It's a single dose treatment and that prevents the Lyme but we have to get it within three days of the bite,' said Ford. Ford says it's important for people to do a full inspection if they're near the woods, or even just outside. He says ticks are small enough to miss but people can look for a red dot – like a pimple – and any black colouration surrounding the area. James Donald of Hiking NB and Paddling NB says he tries to get out on the trail or the water at least twice a week. He said he's seen more people with the socks wrapped over their pant legs for protection. Both he and his wife have experience with ticks. 'She went through the whole shots, treatment and everything and then we were actually at a hike summit down in Nova Scotia, which they're actually a lot thicker down there in the southern part of Nova Scotia, and I had my first tick experience there.' Ford said the pants he wears now are treated with the tick repellant permethrin. 'The problem is when you're in long grass and things are touching your legs and stuff that's kind of where they hang out and then they grab on and hold on and try to climb into any nook and cranny they can find on you.' According to the New Brunswick Pharmacists' Association 'your overall risk of developing Lyme disease after a high-risk tick bite is approximately three per cent and the tick needs to be attached to your skin for more than 24 hours to transmit the bacteria.' The Association also says that clothes should be put in the dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes or in a hot wash cycle to help kill off any ticks. It also recommends having a shower or bath to rinse away any that might not have attached yet. Ford says it's also important to check pets. He says you should check with your pharmacist if you're using preventative sprays or oils to make sure they are safe for every member of the family. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
With warmer weather, pet owners should take precautions against ticks
A dog getting exercise outside in Edmonton on May 25, 2025. It's that time of year again in Edmonton: With warmer weather comes more time outside for pets and their owners. It's also time for dog owners to take precautions to protect their canines from ticks. Areas with long grass and trees are places in which one can expect ticks to be active. Local veterinarian Vicki Janes says using regular tick prevention medication can help and adds owners should also be on the lookout for fleas and lice. 'There's also lots of natural dog bug repellents that are out there and spray foam that you can use if you're going camping or going to the lake,' Janes, of the Heartland Forest Veterinary Hospital, told CTV News Edmonton. With files from CTV News Edmonton's Miriam Valdes-Carletti
