The Shadow
RICHMOND, Va. — As spring arrives and the weather warms up, tick activity increases around Virginia. Increased tick activity means that Virginians need to be aware of the risks that ticks can pose to people.
“As a physician, this is the time of year when I’d start seeing patients come in with tick-borne illnesses — often beginning with a rash, but sometimes leading to serious, life-altering conditions,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Cameron Webb. “Here in Virginia, we know this risk is real. The good news is that prevention is within our control — simple steps like using repellent and checking for ticks can make a meaningful difference. As more people head outdoors, building those habits into our routines is one of the best ways to protect our health.”
There are several illnesses that ticks can spread in Virginia, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Alpha-gal Syndrome. Some ticks begin seeking a source of food – you – as soon as the temperature gets above freezing. Now is when you should be mindful of their presence and begin taking precautions to prevent bites.
Ticks are typically found in shady, moist, humid areas, specifically in tall, brushy vegetation and leaf litter in and around wooded areas. Anyone who spends time outside should be aware of ticks and take precautions. Farmers, foresters, and others who spend lots of time outside should be particularly vigilant. Farmers should also regularly check their animals for ticks.
“After contracting Alpha-gal Syndrome from a tick bite in 2022, I’ve experienced firsthand how life-altering tick-borne illnesses can be. This condition significantly changed my daily routine and is a constant reminder that tick prevention is a necessity, not an option,” said Charles Green, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “For our farmers, foresters, and families who spend their lives outdoors, taking appropriate preventive measures is a simple but vital step to protect your long-term health.”
The VDH tick website has information for people on how to prevent tick bites and what to do if you are bitten by a tick. If a person is bitten by a tick, VDH can also provide tick identification assistance through our Virginia Citizen Tick Survey at no cost.
The best way to avoid tickborne illnesses is to prevent tick bites.
- While you’re outdoors, use an EPA-registered insect repellent as your first line of defense against ticks. You may consider:
- Using permethrin to treat clothing or gear, which will provide protection even after several washes. Spray it on your clothing several days in advance so it can properly dry. You should never wear clothes that are still wet from permethrin spray, and do not apply to the skin.
- Using repellent containing either DEET, picaridin, IR 3535, 2-undecanone, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on your skin.
- Always remember to follow instructions on the product label. If using products on children and their clothing, take additional precautions to make sure those products are safe for use.
- Ticks can climb up your shoes and socks. Tucking your pant legs inside your socks makes it harder for ticks to crawl high enough to reach your skin, making it easier to remove them before they bite. Wearing light colored clothing can also help you to spot ticks more easily.
- After you’ve been outdoors, check your body and clothing for ticks.
- Tumble dry your clothing on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any remaining ticks.
- Use a mirror, or with the help of a friend, partner, or spouse, check your body for ticks, paying close attention to your armpits, groin, in and around the ears, hairline, navel, and the backs of the knees.
- Once you’ve cleared yourself of ticks, check any children, pets, and outdoor gear.
You’ve taken all the precautions you can to avoid getting bitten by a tick, but what should you do if a tick has bitten you? Follow these steps to properly and safely remove the tick.
- Step 1: Use a tweezer to grasp the tick as close as possible to the skin.
- Step 2: Pull upward, with steady and even pressure, until the tick releases. Try to avoid breaking mouthparts of the tick or rupturing the tick’s body.
- Step 3: After you’ve removed the tick, clean the bite area with soap and warm water, rubbing alcohol, or hand sanitizer.
- Step 4: Save the tick in a bag or sealed container with rubbing alcohol for later identification if you develop an illness in the days or weeks after the bite.
- You can also mark on your calendar the date of the tick bite!
If you start to feel sick or if an unusual rash develops at the site of the tick bite, you should consult your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Many of the diseases caused by tick bites can be serious, but tick bites can be prevented through simple, common-sense steps which all Virginians can take.
