Author: Sardar Khan, M.D., Family Medicine, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic – West Grand Parkway
Spring has come and gone, and we’re heading into a hot, humid summer. The rapidly changing seasons have sprung unwelcome visitors – that’s right, the bugs are back in town.
While there are a number of creepy-crawlies we recommend you avoid, the most common ones known to transmit disease are ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas.
What You Need to Know
Most people are aware that ticks may transmit Lyme disease – but did you know these arachnids can carry other pathogens? Ticks have been known to transmit babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, Southern tick-associated rash illness, tick-borne relapsing fever, tularemia, and more.
Similarly, mosquitoes are widely known to transmit West Nile virus – but these pesky insects may also pass along Zika virus, Chikungunya virus, dengue virus, and others, all of which may be found along the Gulf Coast and Texas.
Texas reports the highest rate of flea-borne typhus in the United States, and flea-borne typhus is now endemic to Harris County.
While the list of conditions may be long, the real takeaways are that these insects and arachnids pose a risk and we should do what we can to protect ourselves, and our loved ones, from them.
Avoid Ticks, Mosquitoes, and Fleas if You Can
To avoid the dangers of these insects and ticks, it’s important to protect yourself and loved ones if you’re in areas where they are common – especially in the woods or high grass.
The best way to prevent flea-borne conditions is to treat the animals in your care and avoid contact with stray/feral animals, including rodents.
If you find yourself spending time in heavily wooded areas, be sure to tuck the legs of your pants into your socks and wear long sleeves to prevent ticks from attaching to the skin. Once you return home, search your body – and your children – for ticks, especially behind the knees, along the hairline, behind the ears, in the belly button, and under the arms.
One of the best methods of protection against ticks and mosquitoes is using insect repellent containing DEET. DEET is FDA approved for use on children two months and older, as long as you follow the label instructions for use of the product.
Its also important to look for the concentration of DEET in the repellent you choose. The concentration of DEET in a product indicates how long the product will be effective. A higher concentration means it will be effective for a longer period of time. When looking for products that are child appropriate, look for products with less than 30% DEET and while it may be more convenient to use products that combine both sunscreen and DEET repellant, these products are not recommended for use because of how frequent sunscreens need to be reapplied. Be sure to check your preferred repellant for specified duration of protection and instructions for reapplication.
Additionally, dressing in loose-fitting, long-sleeved clothing, wearing socks and shoes instead of sandals, wearing muted colors, and avoiding scented lotions or perfumes may also help reduce the risk of tick and insect bites.
When to See a Doctor
Even when taking appropriate precautions, it is still possible to be bitten by a mosquito, tick, or flea. If you or the people you care for have recently been in the woods, in contact with animals that may have fleas, or spent more time outdoors, watch for symptoms. If you or your loved ones are feeling fatigued, have a fever with or without a rash, or are suffering from headaches, make an appointment to see your doctor.