Toolbox Talk: Lyme Disease
The tick on the left is an adult female deer tick, which is red and dark brown. To her right is an adult male deer tick, which is smaller and darker. A nymph deer tick is second from the right, and a deer tick larva is to the far right.
Points to Remember:
1. Size does matter; an adult wood tick is much larger than an adult deer tick.
2. Only female deer ticks can transmit Lyme disease and must be attached for 24 to 48 hours before they can transmit Lyme disease.
3. Only the adult female deer tick will have reddish or orange around their edge.
4. Nearly all people who contract Lyme disease will experience flu-like symptoms; fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
5. In 70-80% of Lyme disease cases, the first sign of infection is usually a circular rash, which can occur 3 to 30 days after an infected tick bite.
6. Lyme disease can be treated, if treatment is begun early in the course of the disease. If left untreated for too long, the symptoms can last for years even after the treatment is finished.
7. Use insect repellents containing 20-30% DEET on your skin and clothing.
8. Wash and then dry clothing in a HOT dryer to kill any remaining ticks.
