“
The most common problem related to a tick bite is Lyme
disease, which is transmitted by the black-legged tick.
The most obvious sign of its presence is a bull’s-eye
rash near the site of the tick’s bite. Seek medical
attention as quickly as possible if
you notice such a sign.
”
Lone star tick Black-legged tick
As unappealing as it may sound, a bite from this arthropod,
considered a kissing cousin to its spider relatives, is not
painful and probably will go unnoticed. However, this can
be where the problem arises. An undetected tick can embed
into the skin a few hours after an outdoor experience. Do not
be alarmed, but be cautious; not all tick bites cause infectious
pathogens to be introduced into the body. Determining
factors include the particular species, the amount of time
the tick was attached and feeding (up to 48 hours for Lyme
disease), and the effectiveness of your own immune system in
fighting off disease. For instructions for safe removal of a tick
consult the website of the Center for Disease Control, www.
cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html.
The most common problem related to a tick bite is Lyme
disease, which is transmitted by the black-legged tick. The
most obvious sign of its presence is a bull’s-eye rash near
the site of the tick’s bite. Seek medical attention as quickly as
possible if you notice such a sign. Your healthcare provider
can advise as to the best course of treatment. Fortunately, it
is not likely that you will contract Lyme dis ease on Kiawah
Island, although many states in the southeastern United States
are seeing more reports of this disease in recent years.
For prevention, use repellents containing 20% DEET or
permethrin, wear long pants, pull socks up over the bottom
of your pants, and tuck in shirts. Avoid damp grassy areas. Be attentive to areas behind the knees under arms, and in
the ears. Check clothing and backpacks or gear for ticks that
may remain on these items. It takes several hours for the tick
to embed and 24 to 48 hours to transmit disease; therefore, a
thorough check and a quick shower or bath can solve many
problems.
On the plus side, ticks make a significant contribution to
the food chain and have an impressively long history. They
make up a large part of the diet of many birds, reptiles, and
amphibians. Even some mammals appreciate the nutritional
value of ticks. Opossums are known to forage for ticks during
nightly wanderings.
Lyme disease was identified and named in the 1970s.
Scientists recently discovered a 15 million-year-old fossilized
tick and the bacteria, which cause Lyme disease, preserved
in amber in the Dominican Republic, documenting their
presence long before man. Another study has found
ticks preserved on a dinosaur feather in amber from the
Cretaceous age, the first indication that the two existed
together 99 million years ago.
You may not love them, but try to appreciate them. NK
WINTER/SPRING 2018 • VOLUME 39
Editor’s note: Special thanks to Charles B. Lubelczyk of the
Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough, Maine,
for his assistance with this article.
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