Protecting Your Family from Lyme Disease: A Guide to New England Tick Season

Dr. Stein
6 days ago
3 min read

As the weather warms up in New England, we all look forward to spending more time in our gardens, on the trails, and in our backyards. However, spring and summer also mark the peak of tick activity. In New England, the blacklegged tick (deer tick) can transmit Lyme disease, which affects thousands of people each year.

Before You Head Out: Defensive Dressing

Prevention starts before you even step off the porch. If you’re heading into wooded or grassy areas, take these three steps:

Wear light-colored clothing (which makes it easier to spot dark ticks) with long sleeves and long pants. For maximum protection, tuck your pants into your socks or boots to create a barrier.
Use Repellent: Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent to any exposed skin.
When hiking, try to walk in the center of trails and avoid brushing against tall grass or leaf litter where ticks like to wait for a host.

After Being Outdoors:

Once you come back inside, the clock starts. Showering or bathing within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of Lyme disease, as it can wash off unattached ticks.

After your shower, perform a thorough "head-to-toe" tick check. Ticks are experts at hiding in warm, dark places. Pay special attention to:

Under the arms and behind the knees
In and around the ears
Inside the belly button
Around the waist and between the legs
Along the hairline and across the scalp

If You Find an Attached Tick

Don't panic—but do act promptly. The risk of Lyme disease transmission increases the longer a tick is attached (usually requiring 36 to 48 hours).

The Proper Removal Technique:

Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible.
Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not jerk or twist the tick, as this can cause the mouthparts to break off in the skin.
After removal, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
Save the tick! Place it in a sealed container or a plastic bag with the date and the location where you think you were exposed. This can be helpful for identification if symptoms develop.

What NOT to do:

Do NOT use "home remedies" like petroleum jelly, nail polish, or a hot match to try and make the tick detach. These methods can actually increase the risk of infection.
Do NOT squeeze the body of the tick.

Identifying the "Bull’s-Eye" Rash

The most recognizable early sign of Lyme disease is Erythema Migrans (EM), a red rash that appears 3 to 30 days after a bite.

Location: It usually appears at the site of the bite.
Size: It expands gradually, often reaching more than 2 inches in diameter.
Appearance: While it often has a classic "bull’s-eye" look (a red ring with a clear center), it can also appear as a solid red oval.
Sensation: Interestingly, the rash is typically not itchy or painful.

When to Call the Clinic

If you find a tick that has been attached for more than 36 hours, or if you are having trouble removing it yourself, please get seen by a medical provider.

Most importantly, if you develop a rash, fever, chills, or unexplained fatigue in the weeks following a tick encounter, reach out to schedule an evaluation. Stay safe and enjoy the beautiful Massachusetts spring!