ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – As the weather gets warmer, we all want to get outdoors and enjoy spring, but ticks are starting to appear in nature.
Ticks are most active between April and September, but exposure can happen any time.
The most common disease associated with ticks is Lyme disease, which is spread through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick or a deer tick.
According to UW Health, the most common signs of Lyme disease are:
Bullseye rashFlu-like symptoms: fever, chillsHeadachesFatigue
In order to prevent tick bites, UW Health recommends:
Wear insect repellent containing 20-30% DEETSpray clothes with permethrin, a pesticide for ticks and mosquitoes.Check yourself and pets for ticks. Areas to check are armpits, behind knees, waistline, ears and hair.Take a shower as soon as possible after spending time outside
For more information on preventing tick bites and Lyme disease, click here.
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