Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/501957
CHI St. Joseph's Health | www.SJAHS.org 8 D eer ticks are only one of 13 types of ticks that inhabit Minnesota, but they are the most common. They are also most often responsible for causing tick-borne illness in Minnesota residents. Lyme disease is one of those. "Typically, with Lyme disease, the first thing that you notice is the bulls-eye rash, which becomes red and inflamed," says RaeAnn Mayer, CHI St. Joseph's Health Community Health manager. "Not everyone develops or notices a rash, however, so other symptoms to watch out for include fever, headache, chills, fatigue, sore throat, a stiff neck, or pain in your muscles and joints." Symptoms of other diseases spread by ticks, including anaplasmosis and babesiosis, are similar but can also include nausea, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. PREVENTION IS PROTECTION "If you live near a wooded area, a good way to lower your risk of tick bites is to keep your lawn mowed and leaf litter far from the house," says Mayer. "You can also build a landscape barrier by placing a three-foot wide layer of wood chips between your lawn and the woods." Avoiding tick habitats altogether is the best way to reduce tick- bite risk. This includes any wooded areas or places with a lot of brush. If you do have to be in those areas, use a tick repellent containing less than 30 percent DEET (not for infants younger than two months of age), wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and check yourself for ticks when you return home. "Occasionally, I get a call from someone asking why we aren't telling people about the high tick risk here, but frequently people only look for information after they have an illness," says Mayer. "You have the option of putting out a fire or having a smoke alarm to warn you—there are many local resources on tick-borne illness prevention that can act as your smoke alarm." For more about tick-borne diseases, symptoms, and prevention, visit www.Health.State.MN.us and search for "tick." Tiny Terrors: A deer tick on an adult woman's hand Hubbard County is a high-risk area for tick-borne disease. Learn how to protect yourself. Tick Alert! "Tick-borne illnesses are preventable if you take measures to avoid ticks. While not every deer tick carries illness, it's smart for patients to see their primary care physician if they experience a bull's-eye rash or ulike symptoms after being outdoors duringtick season." WENDY GULLICKSRUD, CHI ST. JOSEPH'S HEALTH INFECTION PREVENTION/EMPLOYEE HEALTH COORDINATOR