ATLANTA — As tick season arrives in Georgia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is sharing updated recommendations on how to safely remove ticks and prevent bites.
While fine-tipped tweezers have long been the preferred method, the Atlanta based CDC now says regular tweezers or even fingers can be used if necessary. The key, according to CDC communication specialist and trained medical entomologist Michelle Allerdice, is removing the tick quickly.
“You can use regular tweezers or a blunt tip tweezer, but you can also use your fingers,” she said. “And just be aware that ticks really like to hide and they love a good nook or a good cranny, so you want to make sure you’re looking in all of those nooks and crannies on your body; like under your arms, or around your ears and hair.”
Tick bites can cause serious illnesses such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which are transmitted through bacteria, viruses, or parasites that ticks carry. The CDC estimates that more than 31 million people are bitten by ticks each year, leading to approximately 3.4 million healthcare visits.
To prevent tick bites, Allerdice recommends using EPA-registered insect repellents with active ingredients and avoiding tall grasses.
After spending time outdoors, it’s important to perform a thorough tick check not just on yourself, but also on your pets.
WSBs Ashley Simmons contributed to this story
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