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It's Tick TimeNew Jersey outdoor enthusiasts these days need to add one more entry to their list of precautions. Even before ''bears'' and ''poison ivy,'' they need to pencil in ''ticks.'' The number of ticks -- and the chances they will be carrying disease -- is expected to be especially high this year, thanks to weather and other factors. TypesThere are three types of ticks in New Jersey: The deer, or black-legged, tick, the size of the head of a pin. It's the primary carrier of Lyme disease. The dog or wood tick is a relatively large tick with some white markings. The Lone Star tick, found mainly in South Jersey. Generally, ticks are nothing more than a nuisance; the deer tick can transmit Lyme disease if undetected, but if it is removed within 24 hours, the chances of contracting the disease are slim. Still, the number of Lyme disease cases has increased steadily during the past four years, state figures indicate. There were 1,704 cases of Lyme disease reported in New Jersey in 1995, up from 688 in 1992. Hunterdon County leads the state and is second among 3,300 counties in the nation in the number of cases per 100,000 residents. In 1995, Hunterdon reported 565 cases. Morris County was third in the state with 232 cases. Bergen County, with nine cases, and Passaic County, with eight cases, had the two lowest rates in the state in 1995. AvoidanceWear long sleeves and pants, and tuck cuffs into socks. Check frequently for ticks; they are much easier to see on light clothing. If you're out with your dog, check it periodically, too -- especially in places like ears and between toes. Don't hike in tall grass and shrubby trees. Wear a tick repellent (look for one with the ingredient DEET). If a tick does become attached, remove it by grasping it with tweezers and pulling gently. The tick will eventually release itself, although it can take a minute or more. SymptomsLyme disease sometimes begins with a bull's-eye rash around the bite. The other early symptoms are very similar to those of the flu -- headache, chills, fever, body aches, and joint pain. TreatmentIn its earliest stages, Lyme disease can be treated with any number of antibiotics. Later, it becomes a much more serious illness. Untreated cases often lead to heart, nervous system, and joint problems. Copyright © 1996 Bergen
Record Corp.
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