Local West Chicago residents are experiencing the yearly spring tick outbreak.
During springtime and throughout the warmer months, ticks are very common in the DuPage County area. These tiny insects are part of the spider family. While they may look harmless, they can quickly turn a day of outdoor adventures upside down. Ticks can be found crawling on skin and even embedded in it. These insects can invade personal space – as well as that of pets – and pose a danger to one’s health.
“A lot of times when I’m out fishing, I encounter ticks crawling up my legs … It’s pretty annoying, but especially with my dog – every so often I find ticks on them,” local resident Alan Alfaro said.
Some cases are more severe – and memorable. West Chicago teacher Shannon Sanchez recounted a personal experience that started while mowing lawns two summers ago.
“I had this terrible pain in my leg … and it was this tick that got in my leg, but I didn’t know it was a tick,” Sanchez said. “I tried everything -pimple cream, a hot needle, you name it – but the thing didn’t move. It was in there for months. We even named it Frank.”
The tick remained embedded until her parents visited for Thanksgiving and physically removed it. Sanchez still has a scar and is considering getting a tattoo that says “RIP Frank” to commemorate the experience.
Ticks can carry harmful diseases such as Lyme disease. When a tick has been attached for several hours, it becomes engorged. It is important to remove the tick as soon as possible to reduce the chances of transmitting disease.
“Removing a tick can be done with tweezers. You want to kind of go underneath the tick, between the fangs, where it is hooked into your skin, and pull straight up,” West Chicago Community High School nurse Cathy Collins said.
“Once the tick is removed, the area should be cleaned with soap and water. Neosporin or Bacitracin, an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment, can be applied to the area of the bite. It is important to monitor for fevers, rash, headaches or body aches for the next several weeks,” Dr. Michelle Jao, a pediatrician with Northwestern Medicine, said.
Tick prevention is essential in reducing the chances of tick-borne illnesses. There are several ways to combat these disease-carrying pests.
“Make sure if you know you are going in a wooded area, wear long pants … wear socks that go all the way up and boots. Wear spray and make sure you check yourself for ticks and shake off your clothes,” Collins said.
Another way to stay during tick season is to wear light-colored clothes, long-sleeved shirts, and to tuck shirts into pants and pants into socks. It is important to check the entire body for ticks after returning indoors. Special attention should be paid to under the arms, near the ears, the scalp and hairline, between the legs, and around the waist. Taking a shower within two hours can help wash off any unattached ticks. Tumble drying clothing on high heat can also help kill ticks on fabric.
For pets, it is important to use products that help repel ticks. Regular checks are necessary, as ticks can often hitch a ride indoors on animals.
“Ticks live all around … they live in trees, shrubs and leaves. They can also get on you by blowing in the wind. Dogs also can bring ticks into the house,” Collins said.
Collins emphasized the importance of staying vigilant during peak tick season and offered one final reminder: “Don’t let a tick get you sick. Fight the bite,” Collins said.
