Buzz
Climate change has significantly expanded the range of ticks, bringing them into contact with human skin in more regions than ever before. In my area of Pennsylvania, these pests were once uncommon, but now I find myself removing several from myself or family members each summer. Instead of panicking every time, consider starting a scrapbook.
This concept was inspired by Jena Whiston, who shared her “tick kit” idea on Scary Mommy. My version of the kit includes just one essential item—a TickKey, which allows you to safely remove a tick without direct contact. (It’s wise to purchase a tick removal tool of your choice now, before an emergency arises, and keep it with your first aid supplies.)
After removing the tick, instead of discarding it or sending it for testing, secure it on a piece of paper with tape and jot down details like who it was removed from and the date.
Consult your doctor to determine the level of concern and whether antibiotics (for you) or testing (for you or the tick) is necessary. In many cases, particularly where tick bites are frequent, you may be advised to wait and watch for symptoms. Always follow your doctor’s guidance.
Maintain that scrapbook—it’s more than just a collection of summer memories. It serves as a detailed log of which ticks bit your family members and when. If someone later shows symptoms of one of the numerous tick-borne illnesses (Lyme disease isn’t the only one!), you may need to answer questions like, “Do you remember any tick bites? When did they occur? Do you know the type of tick involved?”
And you’ll have the answers. Even without being an entomologist, you’ll have the tick preserved in your scrapbook, ready for identification and testing. You can provide the doctor with precise details about when and where the tick was found. Hopefully, you’ll never need this information, but if you do, you’ll be grateful it’s there.
