11/08/2022
A little tick information to share with you all from one of our providers. 🍂🔍
The lone star tick, which in the past was confined to the Southern States, has expanded to almost all the states in the US.
The tick is very aggressive and fast it can go from your ankles to your head in a few seconds. The lone star tick has become notorious for causing alpha gal syndrome which is an allergy to red meat. It can also transmit a host of other diseases.
The female tick can be identified as rust colored with a whitish dot to the center of her back. The male tick which is smaller is rust colored and has whitish streaks along the outside of his back.
If you find a tick or have a tick bite, I recommend sending the tick to a lab for evaluation. This can be done for free by utilizing ticklab.org. They will identify the tick species, s*x, engorgement, and the most common pathogens.
Obviously, the best strategy is not to get a tick bite. There are several measures that can prevent tick bites my favorite is the use of permethrin on clothing. Using deet or other natural insect repellents can also be helpful. You can also wear light colored clothing and tuck your pants into your socks. Try to avoid brushy and thick areas of the woods. Finally make sure you do a thorough check of yourself when you get home and before you go inside your house. Putting your clothes in the dryer on high for 15 minutes will terminate any pesky tick that is trying to hitchhike on your clothes.
Remember, don't be too paranoid. Get out and enjoy the beauty of Pennsylvania.
-Dr Stonesifer
Bitten by a tick? Determine if you were exposed to a tick-borne disease before symptoms ever appear, with fast, reliable laboratory tick testing results.
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