Tick Surveillance

What To Do If You Find A Tick

If the Tick Has Not Attached

If you discover a tick on you but it has not yet attached, simply brush it off. If you are outdoors, you can flick it away. Indoors, you can wash it down a drain or secure it to a piece of tape and dispose of it in the trash. Always perform a thorough tick check immediately afterward to ensure no other ticks are present.

If the Tick Has Attached

Should you find an attached tick, use a clean pair of fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure until the tick releases. Ensure that all mouthparts are removed. Be careful not to twist or jerk the tick, and avoid digging into the bite site, as this can introduce more bacteria. After removal, thoroughly clean the bite area with soap and water and monitor it for any signs of infection.

https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/after-a-tick-bite/index.html

Assessing Your Risk and Seeking Advice

Try to recall when the tick may have bitten you. If the tick appears to be unfed (flat and small), the risk of pathogen transmission is generally low. However, if you have any questions or concerns, it is always best to consult your healthcare provider.

Tick Identification and Testing

For identification, you may submit the tick to the Garrett County Health Department using the provided form. If you wish to have the tick tested for pathogens, private laboratories like TickReport offer these services.

Recognizing Symptoms of Lyme Disease

Symptoms of Lyme disease typically manifest within 3 to 30 days following a tick bite. During this period, be vigilant for the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Rash (often a bull’s-eye rash, but can appear differently)
• Body and muscle aches
• Joint pain
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy)

By Melinda A. Smith-Pritt, LEHS, and Veronica Crenshaw