TICK BORNE ILLNESS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
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Tick Education

Tick Removal
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It’s as much about what to not do as it is what to do. If you squeeze, pop, or burn a tick you run the risk of spreading the bacteria.
  • Do not burn or use any substance on tick
  • Do not grasp, squeeze, or twist body of tick
  • Grasp tick close to the skin with tweezers
  • Pull tick straight out
  • Use antiseptic on skin
  • Disinfect tweezers
  • Wash hands thoroughly
  • Always see a healthcare provider for possible diagnosis, testing, and treatment.
  • If desired, save tick for testing, preferably alive, in a zippered plastic bag or a closed container with a moist cotton ball. 

Symptoms of a Tick-Borne Illness
 There are many tick-borne diseases in the world, but most of these diseases carry very similar signs and symptoms. If you have been bitten by a tick, and within a couple weeks you begin to develop symptoms– please contact a healthcare professional. There are different health perspectives to consider before a clinical diagnosis is made:
  • Your Symptoms
  • Your Geographic Location
  • Your Diagnostic (Blood) Test Results
  • A Bullseye Rash
Common symptoms of a tick-borne illness may feel like the flu and include:
  • Fever/chills
  • Aches/Pains
  • Bullseye Rash
Helpful Tricks and Tips
The best way to prevent a tick-borne illness is to prevent the tick from ever coming into contact with your skin. Follow some of these tips to stay safe during times when tick populations are high. 
  • Wear insect repellent spray with 20%-30% DEET on your clothes (avoid wearing the spray on your skin)
  • Wear appropriate clothing when outside in tick dense areas– long sleeves, pants, and high socks
  • Check for ticks after being outside– do regular tick checks, especially looking at your hairlines, armpits, ears, belly button, and groin
  • After being outside, put clothes in the dryer for 15 minutes on high heat to kill any ticks that may be attached to your clothing
  • Use tick protection products for your pets such as chewable tablets, topical applications, and tick collars.  
Helpful Links
Much of our material and understanding of tick-borne illness is due to the hard work of many scientists and doctors from around the world. To view their websites please click on any of the links below:
  • https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/tickbornediseases/index.html
  • https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/tick/index.htm
  • https://www.lymedisease.org/
  • https://www.ilads.org/
  • https://www.howardyoungfoundation.org/tick-borne-illness/
  • http://www.waite-kanefoundation.org/
  • https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/219/7/1146/5195442
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  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Appointments
  • Research
  • Tick Education
  • Our Team
  • Donate
  • Contact