(WWJ) Medical providers say they're seeing an uptick in illnesses caused by an increasingly common pest.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says there has been a significant increase in the cases of tick-borne illness -- including Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis.
Specifically, state officials say there's been an increase of 168% in Lyme disease cases in Michigan over the last five years.
Detroit Medical Center emergency room doctor Robert Sherwin said you need to act quickly if you find a tick attached to your body.
"It's best to remove it as soon as possible," he said, in an interview with WWJ's Amanda Forrester. "Generally, with Lyme disease it's understood that the transmission does take a day or more, usually two or three. The tick needs to be engorged, and then the transmission occurs."
It's important to pull ticks out cleanly so you don't accidentally leave any part of them behind, Sherwin said, which could cause more serious issues. [Listen to the full interview for more tips].
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, there are over 20 known tick species in Michigan.
Most often, ticks survive by feeding on wildlife. While not all ticks carry diseases, several species of ticks are known to bite people and pets and may harbor dangerous bacteria, viruses or parasites.
Tick-related diseases can be serious or fatal if not properly diagnosed and treated.
Ticks can attach to any part of the human body but are often found in hard-to-see areas such as the groin, armpits, and scalp. In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36-48 hours or more before Lyme disease can be transmitted.
That's why doing a full-body check to find and remove ticks after being outdoors is crucial, health officials say.
Ticks should be removed by grasping the tick with fine-tipped tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pulling upward with steady, even pressure.
If someone is bitten by a tick that is suspected or confirmed to be a blacklegged tick, they should call their healthcare provider.
Symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headache, and fatigue. Many people, but not all, will get a characteristic "bull's-eye" skin rash. If untreated, infections can become serious. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with antibiotics. Here are some suggestions to help avoid ticks:
Before You Go Outdoors:
• Know where to expect ticks. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or even on animals.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and tuck pants into socks. Wear boots or shoes instead of sandals.
• Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin or you can buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
• Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents. To help find the repellent that is right for you, the EPA has a search tool that can be found here https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you
Get more information on ticks in Michigan, including how to identify them, at this link.
