Medical experts are advising Tennessee residents to take specific precautions against tick-borne illnesses as outdoor activity increases during the spring and summer months.
Dr. Samantha McLerran is the Cookeville Regional Emergency Department Medical Director. McLerran said most tick bites do not result in illness. McLerran said the risk of complications from these infections is higher for the very young, the elderly and individuals with compromised immune systems.
“If you do get a tick-borne illness, which is a rickettsia illness, the biggest risk in Tennessee we have is Rocky Mountain spotted fever or ehrlichiosis,” McLerran said. “It can be dangerous, particularly if you are old or very young, older or very young, or have a condition that affects your immune system like diabetes or are in cancer treatment because it can spread more rapidly in those patients who have a compromised immune system.”
McLerran said residents should wear long-sleeved shirts and tuck their jeans into their boots to create a physical barrier against insects. McLerran said performing a thorough body check after being outdoors is essential, specifically looking in dark, warm places.
“The faster you get the tick off, the less likely you are to have the transmission of the rickettsial bacteria that would transmit an infection,” McLerran said. “Ticks like places like under your arms, between your legs, in your hairline, behind your ears, and just back of the knees, in the genital region.”
McLerran said ticks can be found in residential front yards and can be carried into homes by domestic animals. McLerran said pet owners should ensure their animals receive appropriate tick treatments to prevent bringing the insects indoors.
“People have actually gotten them in their house from where their animals have been outside and then the animals bring them back inside,” McLerran said.
McLerran said common symptoms of tick-borne illness include fever, body aches, headaches, and fatigue, which often mirror the flu. McLerran said most of these conditions are easily treated with doxycycline if caught in the early stages.
“Educating the public on something that is treatable until it gets into a chronic or a late stage is always much easier to treat it in an early stage than wait until someone gets very, very sick,” McLerran said. “I do believe there has been some potential for negative misinformation circulating and providing that public with a positive response and education about actual health facts to prevent panic is an appropriate response.”
McLerran said ticks can be removed at home by pulling them straight out with eyebrow tweezers. McLerran said using clove or peppermint oil can irritate the tick and cause it to back out, making the removal process easier.
“I’m not only a doctor, I’m a farmer’s wife, so we deal with a lot of ticks at my house,” McLerran said. “You can pull them straight out with eyebrow tweezers. The trick is you don’t want to just partially remove it, so if you are hesitant or scared, it is okay to seek medical help or if the area looks red or swollen or indurated… that’s a fancy word for hard… or you’re worried about it at all, please do seek medical attention.”
McLerran said individuals with complex health histories or parents of small children should consult with their physicians or pediatricians regarding which insect repellents are safest for their specific needs.
Tennessee ticks can lead to cellulitis or rickettsial infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis.