The students will be spending more time outside for play and learning, so it is important to keep an eye out. Ticks can carry Lyme disease in addition to many other illnesses. If you or your child(ren) are playing outside, it is important to wear insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. When you come inside, be sure to do a thorough body check to ensure you haven’t brought one home with you. Also, be sure to check any pets that may be playing outside!
If you notice that you have a tick embedded, use tweezers and grab the tick as close to the skin as possible. Once removed, wash the area with warm soapy water. Watch for signs of sickness such as a rash that appears like a bullseye ring or a developing fever. Contact your physician if you notice a bullseye ring or become sick after a tick bite.
For more information on Ticks and Tick Borne illnesses, please visit the CDC’s website @ https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/.