PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Warmer weather has arrived in Maine, and people are gearing up for outdoor adventures and vacations. Whether it’s a trip to the coast or a weekend getaway in the woods, the team at Northern Light AR Gould Hospital wants to remind people to be cautious of ticks.
“Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, hard tick relapsing fever, and Powassan virus infection are the tick-borne diseases spread by deer ticks in Maine. Most tick-borne diseases are diagnosed in the southern part of Maine, especially in Hancock, Waldo, Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties,” explains Dr. Thomas Macharia, a primary care provider and infectious disease specialist at Northern Light Primary Care in Presque Isle. “As of this year, there are 757 confirmed cases of Lyme Disease, 185 cases of Anaplasmosis and 14 cases of Babesiosis in the state.”
Dr. Macharia says that if you are going to be in an area known to have ticks, the best way to prevent tick-borne diseases is to take precautions.
“Stay on well-maintained paths and avoid tall grass or bushes. Be sure to wear long-sleeved, light-colored shirts and pants that are tucked into socks. Use an EPA-approved insect repellent,” says Dr. Macharia. “Once you are home, consider taking a shower to wash off unattached ticks and perform a thorough body check on yourself and your family. Be sure to also check your pets for any ticks.”
Ticks should be removed within the first 24 hours.
“Use fine-tipped tweezers and get as close to the skin as possible to remove the tick fully,” directs Dr. Macharia. “Be sure to clean the area after and monitor yourself for signs and symptoms of a tick-borne disease.”
Some signs and symptoms of a tick-borne disease can include fatigue, malaise, fever, nausea, joint pain, a headache and a lack of appetite.
“Most symptoms are non-specific. You may have a cough from Babesia or could have joint pain and swelling from Lyme. Other diseases can have a rash, such as the classic bullseye rash in the case of Lyme disease, or a spotty rash in Rocky Mountain spotted fever,” says Dr. Macharia. “Most symptoms show up within a few days to a few weeks after being bitten.”
If you have any questions about ticks, or if you experience symptoms after being bitten by one, contact your primary care provider.
