You're lying in bed, reflecting on the pleasant day you spent in the outdoors when you feel something crawling across the back of your neck. Or maybe you're sound asleep when a little sting in your armpit abruptly awakens you.
In both cases a search and seizure of the intruder reveals it's a tick, a harbinger of summer in North Dakota and Minnesota. Although, no one likes ticks, fortunately the ones that are common in the area are fairly harmless.
Residents of North Dakota and northwest Minnesota generally will see only one kind of tick, said Dr. Eric Pearson, a family practitioner at Merit Care Clinic in East Grand Forks.
"Generally speaking, we have mostly plain old wood ticks here," Pearson said. "Those generally don't cause any problems.
"The ones we have to worry about are the deer ticks. Those are the ones that carry Lyme disease." Deer ticks are more commonly found farther east than northwest Minnesota, but they aren't unheard of in this area, Pearson said.
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"We do get them here occasionally. Anywhere you have deer, you certainly can get ticks... I think we need to be cognizant and thinking about the fact that there could be deer ticks around."
Deer ticks are similar in appearance to dog ticks, but usually about half the size, Pearson said.
"The size is the thing that gives it away." If people have any doubt about what kind of tick bit them, they should put the insect in a plastic bag and bring it to a physician for identification.
When removing a tick, the best method is to use a tweezers and grab the tick as closely as possible to the point where it's attached to the person's body. It's preferable to grab it gently and give it time to release, rather than pulling hard initially, Pearson said.
Folklore remedies, such as using petroleum jelly or hot matches do little to encourage ticks to detach from the skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control Web site. Those methods actually can make matters worse by irritating the tick and stimulating it to release saliva or regurgitate its gut contents, which would increase the chances of transmitting pathogens, the CDC Web site said.
Identification
It's important for people to have ticks identified if they are unsure what kind they are because if it is a deer tick, it can cause Lyme disease. Lyme disease, which is characterized by a rash that resembles a bull's-eye, can cause flu-like symptoms, including body aches and chills. If Lyme disease remains in the body it can cause joint problems and arthritis and, eventually, neurological and cardiac problems, Pearson said.
If physicians suspect that a bite was caused by a deer tick a blood test may be ordered that checks to see if there are antibodies present. Because Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria, the presence of antibodies would confirm the bite was a deer tick, Pearson said. Doctors also may treat for Lyme disease, regardless of what the blood test shows, if the patient has a bull's-eye rash. People who have Lyme disease will receive antibiotics.
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To prevent ticks from attaching, people should avoid walking in woods and the tall grass, which is where ticks live. Meanwhile, hikers should stick to trails, Pearson said. Wearing long pants, tucking pant legs into socks and using insect repellants that contain DEET also help prevent people from getting tick bites.
After people have been outdoors, they should check their bodies for ticks, paying close attention to the hairline, belly button, scalp line and armpits because those are areas ticks like to attach, Pearson said.
Wearing light-colored pants is a good idea because it makes it easier to find the ticks, he noted.
Bailey writes for special features sections. Reach her at (701) 787-6753; (800) 477-6572, ext. 753; or send e-mail to abailey@gfherald.com .
