lcmh.com 19 Ticks In Louisiana, ticks can transmit diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. Tick bites themselves may go unnoticed, but the diseases they transmit can have serious health effects. Ticks can be transmitted through animals and humans. Many people get ticks from walking in the woods, but you can get a tick from your own yard. To remove a tick, grasp it from the skin’s surface with clean tweezers or a tick-removal device. Use steady, even pressure to pull the tick up and out of the skin. Use rubbing alcohol or soap and water to clean the bite area. Do not crush a live tick. Put the tick in alcohol or flush it down the toilet. Seek medical treatment if you: • Cannot remove the tick • Live in an area known to have many cases of Lyme disease • Have not had a tetanus shot in 10 years • Get a rash or fever within 2 to 14 days after the bite, of if you see swelling or redness that spreads • Feel weak or experience face, eye, or mouth drooping Spiders Louisiana is home to the brown recluse, whose bites can cause necrosis (tissue death) at the site of the bite. Black widow venom can lead to muscle pain and cramping. Oftentimes, people will mistake spider bites as bites from other insects. A doctor can diagnose a spider bite, so if you suspect you have been bitten by a spider, you should seek medical attention. If you know you’ve been bitten by a spider, it is important to identify the spiders or take a photo to get correct treatment. Safety tips: • Clean spider wounds with soap, water and antibiotic ointment. • Observe the bite for signs of worsening infections. • If you have been bitten by a black widow, seek emergency medical treatment immediately. Doctors will need to prescribe antivenom for treatment of these bites. • Wear gloves when working in areas prone to spiders
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