Tick Season: Protecting Older Adults from Tick Bites and Lyme Disease

As the weather warms and people spend more time outdoors gardening, walking, golfing, or enjoying nature, tick season returns across much of the United States. For older adults, preventing tick bites is especially important because age-related health conditions and weakened immune systems can sometimes make infections more serious.

How to Protect Yourself from Tick Bites

The best defense against tick-borne illnesses is preventing bites in the first place.

Before Going Outdoors:

• Wear light-colored clothing so ticks are easier to spot.

• Choose long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever possible.

• Tuck pant legs into socks when walking through tall grass or wooded areas.

• Use an EPA-approved insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535.

• Treat clothing and shoes with permethrin, a tick-repelling insecticide.

While Outdoors:

• Stay in the center of trails.

• Avoid brushing against tall grass, weeds, and dense vegetation.

• Take extra precautions while gardening, birdwatching, or working near wooded areas.

After Coming Indoors:

• Perform a full-body tick check, paying special attention to:

- Behind the knees

- Under the arms

- Around the waist

- Behind the ears

- Along the hairline and scalp

• Shower within two hours of coming inside.

• Place outdoor clothing in a hot dryer for at least 10 minutes to kill any hidden ticks.

What to Do If You Find an Embedded Tick

If you discover a tick attached to your skin, don't panic. Prompt removal can significantly reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Use fine-tipped tweezers.

Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.

Pull upward with steady, even pressure.

Avoid twisting or jerking the tick.

Clean the bite area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.

Do not use petroleum jelly, nail polish, matches, or other home remedies to remove ticks. These methods may increase the risk of infection.

After removal, note the date and location of the bite. Taking a photograph of the tick can also be helpful if symptoms develop later.

When Should You Contact a Doctor?

You should contact your healthcare provider if:

• The tick was attached for more than 24 to 36 hours.

• You cannot remove the entire tick.

• You develop flu-like symptoms within several weeks of a tick • bite.

• You experience fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, or swollen lymph nodes.

• You have concerns due to a weakened immune system or chronic health condition.

In some cases, a healthcare provider may prescribe preventive antibiotics after a high-risk tick bite.

Signs That Lyme Disease May Be Present

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks, often called deer ticks.

One of the earliest and most recognizable symptoms is a red expanding rash called erythema migrans, often described as a "bull's-eye" rash. However, not everyone develops this rash.

Other early symptoms include:

• Fever

• Chills

• Fatigue

• Headaches

• Muscle and joint aches

• Swollen lymph nodes

If left untreated, Lyme disease can progress and cause:

• Severe joint pain and swelling

• Facial paralysis (Bell's palsy)

• Nerve pain

• Heart rhythm abnormalities

• Memory and concentration problems

When Should You Go to the Hospital?

Most tick bites do not requre emergency treatment. However, seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• Difficulty breathing

• Chest pain

• Severe dizziness or fainting

• Sudden facial drooping

• Rapidly worsening weakness

• Signs of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of the face or throat

These symptoms may indicate a severe reaction or a serious complication requiring urgent care.

The Bottom Line

Tick bites are common during spring and summer, but a few simple precautions can greatly reduce your risk. Wear protective clothing, use insect repellent, perform regular tick checks, and remove attached ticks promptly. If symptoms develop after a bite, contact your healthcare provider right away. Early diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease are highly effective and can help prevent long-term complications, allowing older adults to continue enjoying the outdoors safely.