There is nothing quite like the feeling of finally getting back into the garden, tending to the yard, or spending a quiet afternoon watching the sunset from the porch. But this year, the CDC has issued a bit of a "heads-up" for those of us who love our outdoor time.
Emergency room visits for tick bites have spiked to their highest levels since 2017. While the Northeast is seeing a lot of activity, the Midwest is also seeing a significant surge. Whether you are hiking local trails or just checking on the animals in the backyard, it’s time to be a little more "tick-aware" than usual.
Here is the simple, no-panic guide on how to handle tick season this year.
I Found a Tick. Now What?
First, take a deep breath. Finding a tick doesn’t automatically mean you’ll get sick. The goal is to remove it as quickly—and as cleanly—as possible.
- The Right Way to Pull: Use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible (you want the head, not the body). Pull upward with steady, even pressure.
- The "Old Wives' Tales" to Avoid: Please skip the matches, peppermint oil, or petroleum jelly. These methods can actually irritate the tick and cause it to "regurgitate" into the bite site, which increases the risk of infection.
- Clean Up: Once it’s out, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
The Waiting Game: Watching the Bite
It is very common to have a small, red bump—much like a mosquito bite—right after you remove a tick. This usually fades in a couple of days. However, you should keep an eye on the area for about 30 days.
The most famous sign of Lyme Disease is the Erythema migrans (EM) rash, often called the "bullseye." It typically:
- Expands over several days.
- Can reach up to 12 inches across.
- May feel warm to the touch, but is rarely itchy or painful.
When to Call the Doctor
You don't need to head to the ER for every tick bite, but you should definitely schedule an appointment if:
- You can’t get the head out: If the mouthparts stay lodged in the skin and the area looks irritated.
- A rash appears: Even if it doesn’t look like a perfect bullseye, any expanding red patch is worth a checkup.
- "Summer Flu" symptoms: If you develop a fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches, or a joint pain shortly after a bite, tell your doctor—even if there is no rash.
A Little Prevention Goes a Long Way
You don’t have to stay indoors to stay safe. A few simple habits can make a world of difference:
- The "Tick Check": Make it a habit to check your clothes and body (and your pets!) as soon as you come inside. Focus on behind the knees, the waistband, and the hairline.
- Dress for the Job: If you’re clearing brush or working in tall grass, tuck your pants into your socks. It might not be a fashion statement, but it’s a great tick barrier!
- Heat Treat: If you’ve been in a high-risk area, throw your clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes. This will kill any hitchhikers that the washing machine might miss.
Staying informed means we can enjoy the beauty of the season without the extra worry. Stay safe out there!
Sources:
- CDC Surveillance Data (April 16, 2026): Weekly visits to emergency rooms for tick bites reached 71 per 100,000, the highest level recorded since at least 2017.
- ABC News / WSJM Health Report: "Weekly ER visits for tick bites reach highest level in nearly a decade" (April 16, 2026). This report highlighted the specific surge in the Northeast and Midwest due to earlier spring temperatures.
- Journal Ecosphere (April 2026 Study): Research titled "Rising tick co-infections highlight a changing pathogen landscape" discussed the rise of co-infections (Lyme + Babesiosis) in 10% of ticks studied in the Northeast.