Can You Get Sick From a Tick?
Most of the time, no. But ticks can also carry diseases … like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Lyme disease starts off with a ‘bull’s-eye rash.” You might also have fever and aches. If you get a bull’s-eye rash, you should tell an adult so they can take you to a doctor.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever and some other diseases carried by ticks start off with fever and headache. You might also get a rash. If you don’t feel well, you should tell an adult so they can take you to a doctor.
What Can I Do to Avoid Ticks?
It is no fun being sick from a tick, so it is better to keep them from biting. Here’s what to do at summer camp:
- Ticks like to live in woods with piles of leaves and shade. They also like weeds and tall grass.
If you go into these areas with woods or weeds:
- If you can, stay on the trail.
- Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants. You can even tuck your pants into your socks to keep tick away.
- Use bug spray with 20% DEET on bare skin, particularly near the bottom of the pant legs and the ends of sleeves. Read the directions on the bug spray. Follow the directions.
- After you have been in the woods or in weeds, check for ticks. Ask a friend to help.
- Take a shower after hiking to help get rid of ticks.
- If you find a tick stuck in your skin, ask an adult to help you remove the tick:
Ticks should be removed with a pair of fine tipped tweezers.
- With the tweezers, grab the tick firmly and as close to the skin as possible.
- Pull the tick steadily and gradually away from the skin.
- Clean the tick bite site with soap and warm water.
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Want to Learn More?
- Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- National Parks Service