While Lyme disease is often the most recognized tick-borne illness, it’s not the only one to be concerned about. In Louisiana, Lyme disease is not endemic, but there are several other tick-related illnesses in the region, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, transmitted by the Rocky Mountain wood tick, American dog tick, and brown dog tick; Rickettsia parkeri from the Gulf Coast tick; and Alpha-gal syndrome from the Lone Star tick.
Not all ticks carry diseases, but it’s important to exercise caution when hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, or enjoying the outdoors. Knowing how to recognize suspicious bites and symptoms is crucial. A bite from an infected tick can lead to a bull’s-eye rash around the bite site or flu-like symptoms that may not manifest for days or even weeks. Symptoms of tick-borne illnesses typically progress in stages and may include:
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Fever
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle and joint pain
- Stiff neck
- Swollen glands
- Loss of appetite
- Chills
Without treatment, tick-borne illnesses can worsen, potentially causing rashes to spread, fever, muscle weakness, and extreme fatigue.
To minimize the risk of tick bites, it’s essential to dress appropriately. Opt for light-colored pants and long-sleeved shirts to make ticks easier to spot, wear closed-toe shoes and tall socks, and use tick repellents. Apply repellents containing 30% or more DEET to your clothing, shoes, socks, camping gear, and tent. If you discover a tick on yourself or someone else, remove it promptly. Additionally, report any symptoms of illness or disease to your doctor without delay.