This is one bulletin that gets repeated about every year, and there is good reason. Now that spring and summer is here we will be spending a lot more time outside and be exposed more than ever. I've already had some Wood Ticks on me in the last few weeks, they were just crawling, but it wouldn't have been long before they would start to attach. In any case be sure to check yourself anytime you've been outside to make sure you don't bring any of those little buggers into the house. If you didn't bring any of them in, you should feel lucky, but how about your pets. They bring them into the house by the truck load.
Ticks carry Lime Disease that can make you feel miserable for many weeks. Signs and symptoms include fever, Flu-Like Symptoms, Fatigue, Chills, Muscle Aches, Cough and Sore Throat. These symptoms can develop up to two weeks after a Tick has been removed. The site where the Tick was at may begin as a red dot with a faint ring around it. You should always check yourself, or have a family member check your hair, back, neck or any area you can't see when you come out of the field.
Everyone has their own wives tales of how to remove a Tick with Vaseline, matches, and who knows what else, but the recommended procedure is to grab the Tick as close to the skin as you can and gently pull perpendicular to the skin until the Tick's head is separated from the skin, and then clean the area with alcohol. If the head of the Tick remains attached using this or your own method, see your physician or go to the hospital for surgical removal.
(Information by Don Williams, N8NUS) (Reprint, with modifications, of Wood County ARES District 3 Bulletin NR 07.15)
Ken Harris WA8LLM
Wood County WV;
ARES Assistant Section Coordinator WV
ARES District Emergency Coordinator WV DISTRICT 3