Lyme Disease Prevention Program Ridgefield Health Department

What is BLAST? BLAST is the easy to remember acronym which represents the 5 most effective prevention measures that YOU can take to avoid getting a tick-borne disease.

What are Tick-Borne Diseases? There are a few different diseases that are carried by ticks: – Lyme Disease – Babesiosis – Ehrlichiosis

Lyme Disease Symptoms Symptoms usually appear 2 – 30 days after the bite of an infected tick. Early symptoms: – Expanding "bull's-eye" rash – Flu-like Symptoms – Fever – Tiredness – Headache – Muscle aches – Joint aches

Lyme Disease Symptoms (cont.) Examples of the Lyme Disease "bull's-eye" rash: S. Luger L. Zemel J. Stratton A. McDonald *Photos provided by PfizerPfizer

If my friend has Lyme disease, can I catch it too?

NO! You can only catch Lyme from Ticks! Although, being sick is tough, so if your friend has Lyme, be EXTRA nice to them!

What do Ticks Look Like?

Black-Legged Ticks Adult Female:Reddish body, about the size of a sesame seed Adult Male: Slightly smaller than female, completely dark brown Nymphs: About the size of a poppy seed Larva: Size smaller than that of a pin head Larva cannot give you Lyme Disease! From left to right: Adult female, adult male, nymph, larva

What time of year do people usually get Tick-Borne Disease? Reported Cases of Lyme Disease by Month of Illness Onset United States,

Engorged Ticks

Where do ticks live? Ticks LOVE shady, moist areas

Did you wonder why there are so many ticks in our town?

One tick can lay 2000 to 3000 eggs!

How does a tick give you a disease?

Ticks give you diseases when they bite you. Not all ticks have diseases, though!

What do I do if I find a tick on myself?

Tell a Grown-up!

Tick Removal Use fine tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick by the mouthparts close to the skin. Pull straight back with a slow, steady force. Avoid crushing the tick’s body. Wash area and disinfect the bite site. Record the date and location of the bite. Watch for early symptoms!

Tick Removal DON’Ts Don’t squeeze or rupture the tick. Don’t pour kerosene or nail polish remover on the tick. Don’t rub Vaseline or Petroleum Jelly on the tick. Don’t burn the tick with a smoldering match or cigarette but. Don’t do ANYTHING that might otherwise traumatize the tick.

Bring the tick to the Health Department. They can tell you if it had Lyme disease.

What’s the BEST way to keep ticks off you?!

BLAST stands for the ways to keep ticks away from you!

B LAST

Bathe or shower soon after coming indoors

B L AST

LOOK for Ticks and Rashes

Ask your Mom or Dad to help you look for ticks every night!

BL A ST

Apply Repellents Use bug spray to keep ticks away! You can use one for your skin or one for your clothes.

BLA S T

Spray your yard Some families do not want to spray. If they do, your family should have a bug spray company to spray your yard!

BLAS T

Treat your pets Check your pets for ticks! Ask your vet what you can put on your pet to keep ticks off of them. Don’t sleep with your pet because ticks on your pet may crawl onto you!

Quiz Time!

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Lyme Disease!

Be a LYME Fighter! Together we can Lyme Disease!