Ticked Off? It’s hard to think that such a small critter can cause so much harm.While receiving an honorable mention in nearly every site health & safety plan, ticks can easily become the forgotten enemy. Just one unwanted little hitchhiker can really mess up your day and go on to cause serious problems – not just Lyme Disease, but Anaplasmosis, Relapsing Fever, Q-Fever, Tularemia… These guys mean business! However, some simple precautions can be taken to mitigate the risk of hosting such an unwelcome guest.

While a risk all year round, ticks are generally more active April through October, and are mostly picked up during outdoor activities. So we must be aware of their favored surroundings such as grassy or wooded areas, leaf litter or shrubs. Always walk in the center of trails where possible and avoid brushing up against vegetation. Always wear light colored long sleeves (in our business, long pants, socks and safety boots go without saying!) and always use a suitable repellent. The CDC recommends ‘Permethrin’ on clothing and gear as an effective deterrent. For skin, be sure to use a product designed specifically for skin use.

How can I help prevent being bitten by a tick?

• Avoid grassy areas and shrubs where ticks may be lying in wait.
• Wear light-colored clothing so ticks can be easily seen, and brush them off.
• Tuck pants into boots or socks. Tyvek coveralls work well if you will be working in wooded or grassy areas. (They’re great for poisonous plants, too!)
• Apply insect repellent that is designed to repel ticks, and follow label instructions.
  • In high tick areas, DEET-containing repellents may need to be reapplied more frequently than for repelling mosquitoes.
  • NEVER use DEET in conjunction with NOMEX or other FR clothing. It can render it flammable.
  • Repellents containing permethrin are highly effective against ticks and mosquitoes, but do not affect the flame resistant qualities of the fabric. Apply permethrin to clothing, but not to skin.
• Periodically conduct tick checks of yourself, coworkers, and pets if exposed to tick areas.  Light colored cloths are the best for spotting ticks.  They like to climb, so don’t just check down low.

What happens if you are bitten by a tick?

• If a tick bites into you, don’t panic, call the Stratus EHS Manager, and refer to you HASP.
• Using fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick firmly as close to the skin as possible. Apply gentle pulling until the tick comes free. Twisting or turning the tick does not make removal easier. Such actions may break off the head and mouthparts and increase the chances for infection.
• Once removed, don’t crush the tick because you may transmit disease. Consider keeping it in a tightly-closed jar or taped to a piece of paper. Show the tick to the doctor if you become ill from the tick bite.
• If the head or mouthparts remain, they should be removed by a doctor.
• Clean the bite area with soap and water. Observe the area for several days for signs of a reaction to the bite, such as a rash or infection. Application of an antibiotic to the area may help prevent a local infection, but usually does not affect the chance of developing diseases transmitted by the tick.
• Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after handling any tick or instruments that touched a tick. Disinfect any instruments that were used.