WEB EXTRA
Deer Ticks: Prevention and Protocol
Health Minute: Q&A with Dr. Harry Oken

With summer upon us, deer ticks are very prevalent in Columbia and Howard County.  Dr. Harry Oken explains the steps you should take to help prevent and control deer tick bites; how to remove a deer tick if one does bite you; and the symptoms of Lyme disease.   

Q: Where do I get current research on protocol for what to do if bitten by a deer tick? Should antibiotics be taken preventatively or should I wait for symptoms?  Please advise protocol for an adult vs. a child.  I have a 12-year-old who goes in the woods for daily hikes.  She gets many deer ticks.
- Rena, River Hill

A: Great question, Rena.  Deer ticks are very common in Howard County.  Anyone who ventures into the woods is susceptible to deer ticks.  For that matter, anyone who walks the paths, plays in a field or even mows a lawn runs the risk of coming home with a deer tick.  But, there are several ways to prepare for going outside:

1. Wear light-colored clothing (whites, beiges, etc.) so that you can see a deer tick on you.
2. Wear long sleeves and pants to prevent deer ticks from getting onto your skin.
3. Use an insect repellent that contains DEET.  Make sure you spray this repellent on your cuffs and sleeves.  Be careful when using DEET on children, since overuse can be problematic. 
4. Do a full-body tick-check at the end of the day.

If you do find a deer tick on you or your child, do not panic.  Tick removal is a relatively simple procedure.  Rub alcohol or another antiseptic over the infected area to help clean your skin.  With tweezers, carefully grab the tick by the head (where it enters your skin), twist and firmly pull it out.  Clean your skin with alcohol again to disinfect your bite wound.

Approximately one in three ticks in Howard County is infected with Lyme disease (LD), and most people are worried about deer tick bites leading to this disease. This is a legitimate concern; however, please note that the deer tick itself must be infected by LD in order to transmit the disease.  Additionally, the insect has to feed for a minimum of 24 hours (and usually up to 48 hours) to transmit LD from tick to human.  If you are bit by a disease-carrying tick, symptoms occur within 3-21 days.  Acute symptoms include:

1. A rash known as erythema migrans, or EM, in medical terms.  This rash looks like a bulls-eye, and usually – but not always – radiates from the site of the tick bite; however not everyone with Lyme gets a rash.
2. Flu-like symptoms, such as chills, achy joints, headache and fatigue

If you or your child has any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately.  Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics – usually doxycycline or amoxicillin.  Early treatment (within the first few weeks after the initial infection) almost always results in a full cure; however, if left untreated, LD can lead to arthritis, neurological disorders and heart problems. 

Don’t let the threat of Lyme disease deter you from enjoying the outdoors.  If you take the proper precautions and follow the correct procedures, deer ticks will not harm you.  And, if you do get a tick bite, monitor it for several days.  If symptoms occur, see your doctor and you will receive the necessary treatment.

This column is intended to provide only general information that may be of interest to the public and is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for specific medical advice. Any questions regarding your personal health and medical issues should be directed to your physician.

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About Dr. Harry Oken

Columbia Association’s Medical Director Dr. Harry Oken is a clinical professor of medicine at University of Maryland School of Medicine. He earned a BS from University of Maryland (1976); MS in parasitology from University of Maryland (1978); and MD., cum laude, from University of Maryland School of Medicine (1983). He completed a residency and internship in internal medicine at University of Maryland/Baltimore Veterans Administration hospitals from 1984-86. He served as chief resident in Internal Medicine at the University of Maryland (1986-87).

Oken is board certified in internal medicine and is a fellow of American College of Physicians. He served as chairman of medicine at Howard County General Hospital from 1994-2008.

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