Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria transmitted to people through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash. It can usually be treated with a few weeks of antibiotics. Learn more about the disease.
Preventing Lyme disease includes using insect repellent, watching for ticks, removing ticks quickly and reducing areas where ticks live.
Prevent Tick Bites
Ticks can spread disease, including Lyme disease. You can take steps to prevent tick bites depending on where they are found.
- On people - Avoid, repel, find and remove.
- On pets - Reduce the chances that a tick will transmit disease.
- In the yard - Create a tick-free zone with landscaping.
- Out on the Trail - Trails and parks are common places to find ticks.
Looking for Ticks
Look for ticks on your body. Ticks can hide under the armpits, behind the knees, in the hair, and in the groin.
The blacklegged tick (or deer tick) is the one to spread the disease in Ohio. These ticks are very small. Generally, adult ticks are about the size of a sesame seed. Check out its size next to a dime.
Removing a Tick
It is important to remove the tick as soon as possible.
How to remove a tick.
Myths of Tick Removal
Don’t use nail polish, petroleum jelly, or a hot match to make the tick detach.
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if you develop a fever, a rash, severe fatigue, facial paralysis, or joint pain within 30 days of being bitten by a tick. Be sure to tell your doctor about your tick bite. See more about signs and symptoms.
More Information
Lyme Disease
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Ohio Department of Health