It's tick season, Oklahoma: What to know about the parasites and what to do if you find one
Most Oklahomans have experienced the dreaded tick bite after a day spent outdoors, or even just mowing the lawn.
Because the parasites are so common, there are plenty of myths out there about what to do when you find a tick, how to prevent them and what diseases they might spread.
Here's everything you need to know.
What are ticks? What do ticks look like?
Ticks are a type of arachnid, so they have eight legs. They feed on blood from all kinds of animals, including birds, deer and humans. Their flat, oval bodies swell when they eat.
Ticks are also very small and hard to spot.
Where do ticks live?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ticks live in "grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or even on animals."
What to do if you find a tick on you
Avoid "folk" remedies such as applying nail polish, petroleum jelly or heat to cause a tick to detach. The tick should be removed from your skin as quickly as possible.
The CDC has a "Tick Bite Bot" that will provide instructions for removing a tick and what to do next. It's important to not jerk or twist the tick, as this could leave its mouth embedded in the skin.
Use the same instructions for removing a tick from a pet.
How to dispose of a tick
A tick can be disposed of by putting it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag or container, wrapping it tightly in tape or flushing it down the toilet.
You should never crush a tick with your fingers, according to the CDC.
How to prevent tick bites
The best way to prevent ticks is to know where to expect them and avoid those areas. If you're hiking or camping, stay on the center of trails.
Clothing and gear can be treated with permethrin to repel ticks, or any insect repellant with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone.
After spending time outdoors, always check your clothing, outdoor gear, skin and pets for ticks, and shower as soon as possible.
Can a tick bite make you sick?
After removing the tick, the majority of people will be fine. But, keep an eye out for any new symptoms over the next 30 days. Ticks can pass along bacteria, viruses or parasites.
Concerning symptoms could include fever or chills, rash, nausea or vomiting, headache, body aches, joint pain, tiredness, or swollen lymph nodes. If you develop any of these, you should see your doctor. If you still have the tick in a sealed container, bring it to your appointment.
What diseases do Oklahoma ticks spread?
The most prevalent tick-borne disease in Oklahoma is Rocky Mountain spotted fever, mostly transmitted by the American dog tick, according to the Oklahoma State University Extension office.
While Lyme disease is the most commonly publicized tick-borne disease, the OSU Extension office said it's rare in Oklahoma.
According to the CDC, Oklahoma is one of several states where Alpha-Gal syndrome cases have been on the rise, which is a red-meat allergy caused most often by a bite from the lone-star tick.
How to prevent ticks on dogs
For dogs, talk to your veterinarian about the best tick preventative to use. In addition, reduce tick habitat in your yard, check your dog for ticks daily and if you find one on them, remove it immediately.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Tick season: What to know about the parasites in Oklahoma, tick removal
