MARBLEHEAD –  The Marblehead Board of Health met to discuss a number of community health related topics including information on how to stay tick free this tick season. 

Dr. Amanda Ritvo, a pediatrician and member of the Board of Health, spoke about the growth in tick populations and how Marblehead residents can protect themselves with summer. 

“Ticks can transmit about twenty diseases that we know of in the US,” Ritvo said.  “Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness that we have in Massachusetts.” 

According to Ritvo, Lyme disease is caused by the borrelia burgdorferi bacterium that is transmitted from the blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick. The usual signs of Lyme disease consists of a bullseye rash that forms around the tick bite followed by flu-like symptoms of fatigue and joint-aches. 

“Untreated infection down the line can lead to serious neurologic, cardiac and joint complications,” Ritvo said. “There’s approximately 30,000 to 50,000 Lyme cases every year in the US. Anywhere from Virginia north is considered a high-risk state, and that’s where we are.” 

Aside from Lyme disease, the Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is the most severe disease that can be contracted from an American Dog tick or brown tick bite. RMSF has similar early stage symptoms of fever and fatigue, however the disease turns deadly very rapidly post tick bite. 

“Luckily we don’t see too many cases. But mortality rates are about 20 percent to 30 percent,” Ritvo said.

Ritvo also mentioned Alpha-Gal Syndrome, an allergy to the alpha-gal sugar molecule found in most mammals, other than humans, that can be contracted through a tick bite. While not an infection, Alpha-Gal Syndrome can still be dangerous and cause serious health issues.

“Symptoms can range from hives to diarrhea and nausea,” Ritvo said. “But then also anaphylaxis, so it can be severe. Approximately 0.15 percent of the US population has it, which is about 500,000 people.”

According to Ritvo, alpha-gal syndrome is mostly found in the southeast, however it has been on the rise in the north. Alpha-gal syndrome does have to be treated but there is currently no cure for the allergy. A general avoidance of mammal products can help the immune system reset over time but this is not a guaranteed cure-for-all of the allergy. 

The best way to stay healthy this summer is to be prepared for the inevitability of tick encounters. There is no reason to stay locked inside this summer but it is important to be aware of tall grass and shrubbery where there is a higher chance of ticks. 

“The vast majority of tick bites do not result in Lyme disease and the risk of infection is dramatically reduced when the tick is removed quickly,” Ritvo said. “It’s important to avoid any homemade or natural repellants…They’re not shown to be safer or more effective and can be dangerous to pets and small children.” 

Clothes can be pretreated with 0.5 percent permethrin, which is effective for up to six hours. Other options are EPA approved repellants such as DEET and Picaridin. For hikers, wearing light colored clothing makes spotting ticks easier and consider tucking pant legs into socks. 

Ticks like warm and moist areas so it is important to thoroughly check all areas of the body after spending a day outside. Ritvo says the best way to remove a tick is using a fine-tipped tweezer to grasp as close to the skin as possible and pull upward. Clean the area with soap and water after. 

There is no reason to seek medical care if a tick is removed immediately after coming in from outside. However, if you find one several hours or days later, medical care should be sought after. Cases of Lyme disease are still rare, according to Ritvo, so there is no need to opt out of any summer activities. 

“Looking in the future, there is a Lyme disease vaccine in development by Pfizer. This will be important as tick populations continue to expand,” Ritvo said.

For more information regarding ticks, visit the Center for Disease Control website.