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- Why ER visits for tick bites are rising now
- Common tick-borne illnesses to watch for and their early signs
- Practical steps to protect yourself outdoors
- How to remove a tick safely and what to do next
- When to seek medical care or go to the ER
- Protecting pets and preventing ticks around your home
- Where and when ticks are most active
Emergency room visits for tick bites have climbed to their highest level in more than a decade, prompting fresh concern from health officials. As people return outdoors, the risk of encounters with ticks — and the infections they carry — has risen. Knowing how to avoid bites, remove ticks safely, and recognize warning signs can reduce the need for urgent care.
Why ER visits for tick bites are rising now
- Warmer winters and longer warm seasons let ticks thrive in new areas.
- More outdoor recreation after pandemic restrictions has increased exposure.
- Greater awareness leads more people to seek emergency care for bites.
- Some ticks spread multiple illnesses, which can cause severe symptoms quickly.
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Common tick-borne illnesses to watch for and their early signs
Ticks transmit several diseases. Symptoms vary by infection and can appear days to weeks after a bite.
- Lyme disease: fever, fatigue, headache, and a bull’s-eye rash in some cases.
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever: fever, headache, rash, and rapid progression if untreated.
- Anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis: flu-like symptoms and low blood counts.
- Babesiosis: fever, chills, and red blood cell damage; risk higher for older adults.
- Powassan and other viral infections: less common but can cause neurological symptoms.
Practical steps to protect yourself outdoors
- Wear long sleeves and tuck pants into socks in tick-prone areas.
- Use EPA-registered repellents with DEET or picaridin on skin.
- Treat clothing and gear with permethrin or buy pre-treated items.
- Avoid walking through tall grass and brush when possible.
- Shower within two hours of being outdoors to wash off ticks.
- Do a full-body tick check, including scalp and behind ears.
How to remove a tick safely and what to do next
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick near the skin.
- Pull upward with steady pressure. Do not twist or jerk.
- Clean the bite area with soap and water, alcohol, or iodine.
- Save the tick in a sealed container for identification if needed.
- Do not use heat, petroleum jelly, or household remedies to remove ticks.
After removal: monitor the bite site for rash, fever, or flu-like symptoms for 30 days.
When to seek medical care or go to the ER
- High fever, severe headache, confusion, or difficulty breathing.
- Rapidly spreading rash, or a bull’s-eye rash that appears after a bite.
- Signs of an allergic reaction, including swelling of the face or throat.
- Embedded tick parts you cannot remove or bites on young children.
- People with weakened immune systems or other chronic health problems.
In some areas, clinicians may offer a single preventive antibiotic after certain tick bites. Ask your provider about local guidance and timing.
Protecting pets and preventing ticks around your home
- Use veterinarian-recommended tick preventives for dogs and cats.
- Check pets after walks and remove ticks promptly.
- Keep grass short, clear leaf litter, and create a gravel or wood-chip barrier.
- Limit wildlife access to yards, as deer and rodents carry ticks.
Tip: Treating yards and following a pet prevention plan cuts household risk.
Where and when ticks are most active
- Ticks are most active from spring through fall, though warm winters change that pattern.
- Wooded areas, leaf piles, and tall grass are high-risk environments.
- Ticks are expanding their range in many regions due to climate shifts.
Stay aware of local public health alerts and seasonal trends to reduce surprise exposures.
