Tick-borne illnesses are at record highs in the United States, with some diseases reaching endemic levels in the Northeast.

Ticks are tiny, parasitic arachnids that feed on the blood of humans and animals. When ticks bite, they can transmit disease-causing pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Some of the most common tick-borne illnesses in the Northeast include Lyme disease, which can lead to neurological and cardiac issues, or babesiosis, a blood disease that can cause fever, chills, sweating, and nausea in humans and animals, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Tick-borne diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites transmitted by tick bites.

“Ticks can carry that along with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever,” Veterinarian Mike Dyer told WSAZ. “Then there’s the alpha-gal syndrome where humans can’t eat red meat after they’ve been exposed to a certain tick that’s created a reaction in their body. There’s been a huge increase in cases, not only in the number of ticks but even the little nymph stages, the tiny ticks that are hard to spot. We were finding those even in the winter months.”

Areas of High Risk

The Northeastern United States is particularly prone to tick-borne illness due to its climate and environment, reports Physician One Urgent Care. Ticks thrive in moist, wooded areas with leaf litter, which are common in the region. The black-legged tick, also known as the deer tick, is particularly prevalent in the Northeast and is responsible for spreading Lyme disease. Tick-borne diseases can also be spread by dog ticks, wood ticks, lone star ticks, and deer flies

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The geographic distribution of tick-borne diseases varies by region.

Symptoms of Tick-Borne Illness

Symptoms of tick-borne illnesses can vary depending on the specific disease, but common signs include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and joint pain, Yale Medicine reports. Some tick-borne illnesses can also cause a rash, such as the bull's eye rash associated with Lyme disease. In severe cases, tick-borne illnesses can lead to neurological problems, heart failure, and even death.

Removing Ticks from Yourself or Your Pet

Ticks are a common problem, and with climate change making tick season longer, it's more important than ever to know how to remove them properly. One way to prevent tick-borne illness is to bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors, ideally within two hours, the CDC reports. This will help wash off ticks that haven't become attached, and make it easier to find any ticks that may be on your body. Clothes should also be dried for 15 minutes on high heat to kill any remaining ticks.

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The most common tick-borne disease in the US is Lyme disease.

If you find a tick on your body, don't panic. The safest way to remove it is with a pair of fine, pointed tweezers, the CDC recommends. Grab the tick as close to the skin as possible, near the head or mouthparts, and pull slowly and steadily in a direction away from the surface. Once it's out, wash the bite with an antibiotic soap or rubbing alcohol. Note the date of the bite and monitor the bite site for signs of a rash or other symptoms.

Don't grab the tick with your bare hands or apply home remedies, such as Vaseline, fire, or rubbing alcohol. As NPR reports. These methods can increase the risk of a tick-borne illness, as most of the bacteria and other pathogens that cause the potentially deadly illness live in the gut of the tick. When it's irritated, it can regurgitate its contents into the skin.

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Symptoms of tick-borne diseases can include fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue.

After removing the tick, wrap it in a moist paper towel, put it in a plastic sandwich bag, and send it to a tick testing laboratory. Within three days, they can tell what kind of tick it was, how long it had been feeding, and what kind of diseases it was carrying. This information is important to share with your doctor.

If you suspect that you or your pet has been bitten by a tick or is experiencing symptoms of a tick-borne illness, seek medical attention immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent serious health problems down the line.

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Tick-borne diseases can be difficult to diagnose and may require specialized testing.

Protecting Yourself and Your Pets

The best way to protect yourself and your pets from tick-borne illnesses is to take preventative measures. Here are some tips to reduce your risk of being bitten by ticks:

• Use permethrin tick repellent on bags, shoes, and socks
• Wear light-colored clothing
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors
• Tuck pants into socks to prevent ticks from crawling up your legs
• Stay on well-maintained trails when hiking
• Check yourself and your pets for ticks after being outside
• Shower within 2 hours of being outside to wash off any unattached ticks
• Treat your pets with flea and tick medication recommended by your veterinarian
• Keep your yard tidy by raking up and removing fallen leaves, mowing the lawn, and clearing tall grass and brush from around your home
• If you have bird feeders, move them to the edge of the yard to keep rodents and other animals away
• Vaccinate your pets against Lyme disease

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Some tick-borne diseases can cause severe and life-threatening complications.

“I would encourage pet owners to talk to their veterinarians about getting that Lyme vaccine, and getting on a good flea and tick product,” Dyer said. “Don’t depend on the grocery store or the big box store for your flea and tick products; get the science from your veterinarian and decide what’s best for your pet.”

Tick-borne illnesses are a growing concern in the Northeastern United States. It is important to take preventative measures to protect yourself and your pets from ticks and to seek medical attention if you suspect you may have been bitten by a tick. By staying vigilant and taking proactive steps, we can reduce our risk of tick-borne illnesses and stay healthy.

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