Preventing Illness From Ticks Through Prevention

Last week the state health department reported a McMinnville woman died of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever after a tick bite.

Cookeville dermatologist Dr. Lisa Whiteaker said preventing illnesses starts with a thorough check.

“When you come back from enjoying the outdoors, really inspecting yourself carefully, especially areas where clothes might be tighter,” Whiteaker said.

If you do find a tick, grasp it near the head and apply steady pressure, she said. Once you’ve removed that tick, put it in a plastic zip bag with the date labeled on it and keep it in a safe place for a month, she said.

“Certain ticks are more likely to transmit certain types of disease and so that might help your doctor especially if you have the date and the tick itself, if someone became ill, that could be a big part of the puzzle to help them get better faster,” Whiteaker said.

If you have been bit, and start to exhibit flu-like symptoms that worsen after a day or two, visit your doctor, she said.