TICKS

    Ticks are small, 8-legged bugs that attach themselves to human (or animal) skin where they feed on the blood. They thrive in a warm, moist environment and may be picked up when walking in rural or suburban yards, woods, in long grass and scrublands, They are often found on dogs, cats, deer, or livestock and may jump to a human host when given the opportunity. Some ticks attach themselves and go unnoticed for several hours; others can cause pain, bruising and even severe irritation. Ticks can carry diseases like Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Certain ticks are known to be carriers of viral encephalitis. Ticks can be extremely harmful, particularly to the very young or the very old. In rare instances, they emit a dangerous toxin that can ultimately result in paralysis and death.

    * Inspect your children and yourself daily when any outdoor activity takes place. If you discover an attached tick, use tweezers or curved forceps to gently grasp the tick near its mouthparts, as close to the person's skin as possible and pull it straight out, with no twisting motion. Wear gloves or have some kind of barrier on your hands to prevent transmission of diseases. Put the tick in a jar of rubbing alcohol for identification. Label it with the date, and watch for any symptoms of illness in the victim for two weeks. After you remove the tick, clean the site with Antibacterial Liquid Soap. Then dry thoroughly and apply T36-C5, MelaGel, or Triple Antibiotic Ointment to the site and cover with a bandage for 24 hours. Disinfect the forceps or tweezers. If fever or any other conditions develop within two weeks of the bite, bring the victim and the tick sample to the doctor immediately. Note: Current recommendations from the Center for Disease Control indicate not to coat the tick with any substance prior to removal from the victim because of the risk that the tick will expel infected saliva back into the victim.