Expert explains why tick bites are sending people to the ER in droves

Early-season tick bites have been driving more people to emergency rooms since 2017, and Virginia, along with several other northeastern states, is in the bull’s-eye.

That’s according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which hosts a live tick bite data tracker.

“Ticks worry me more than bears and snakes, due to the diseases that they carry,” says University of Virginia Dr. Christopher Holstege, who heads, among other things, the Blue Ridge Poison Center and UVA’s Department of Student Health and Wellness.

Here, he explains what’s happening and how to protect yourself.

Why is there an increase in tick-related emergency room visits?

It is difficult to know the true numbers. We do know more people are getting engaged with the outdoors, which is wonderful, and I firmly believe, important for health. The increased outdoor activities lead to increased interactions with ticks and the potential for tick-borne diseases.

People are encountering them while hiking, and I have personally already encountered them outdoors. With warmer weather, tick exposure risk increases, and visits to medical providers subsequently increase, especially when ticks are embedded in the skin and cannot be removed.

What are some of the tick-borne diseases in Virginia?

Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, alpha-gal syndrome (which causes a red meat allergy), tick paralysis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever can occur in our region of the state. Several other serious, less common tickborne illnesses include babesiosis, anaplasmosis and tularemia.

What should someone do if they find a tick on their body?

The recommended method for removing a tick involves grasping the tick as close to the skin as possible using fine-tipped tweezers and removing the tick using gentle, outward pressure. Personal protective equipment, nitrile or latex gloves, should be worn if available. Attempts to encourage the tick to disengage, like burning the tick with matches or cigarettes or applying a smothering substance like petroleum jelly, gasoline or nail polish, are not recommended and can lead to harm. If you are unable to remove the tick, more invasive techniques may be required and should be performed in controlled settings such as a medical clinic.

What warning signs should people look out for?

Following a tick bite, a patient should watch for an expanding rash, such as a bull’s-eye pattern common with Lyme disease or the development of fever, chills, severe fatigue and joint pain. These are warning signs of Lyme disease or other tick-borne infections.

Who’s behind this story?

Gaby Clark

MA in English, copy editor since 2021 with experience in higher education and health content. Dedicated to trustworthy science news.

Full profile →

Advertisements

Andrew Zinin

Master’s in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X’s editorial success.

Full profile →