State provides tips to protect against ticks

Michigan (WNEM) - With tick season starting, medical experts encourage those in Michigan to take steps to avoid tick bites.

Ticks can be active in weather above 40 F.

They have the potential to carry multiple diseases with Lyme disease being the most common. Anaplasmosis is the second most common tick-borne disease in Michigan. Anaplasmosis cases have been rising in the state's Upper and northern Lower peninsula.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has some tips for Michiganders who find themselves with a tick attached to their body:

Promptly remove the tick by firmly grasping the tick with tweezers and pulling upwards.
Take a photo of the tick and submit it to MDHHS-Bugs@michigan.gov for identification.
If it is identified as a deer tick and you believe it was attached for more than 36 hours, speak to your healthcare provider about what steps to take next. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also has the "Tick Bite Bot" tool for additional guidance.
Monitor for symptoms like fever, rash, and muscle or joint aches 30 days within the tick bite. If you experience any symptoms, seek medical consultation.

To avoid an encounter with a tick and prevent the possibility of Lyme disease or Anaplasmosis, follow these tips:

Use insect repellent
Avoid tick-infested area
Perform daily tick checks
Bathe or shower as soon as possible

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