04/18/2023
It's that time of year again to remind everyone about TICKS!
This is the season of an explosion of ticks. Be vigilant and check yourself and your kids after you are outside.
If a tick is attached you need to gently remove it fully intact. Using a commercial product such as a "tick twister" is great. If you do not have one then tweezers are the next best thing. Do NOT put anything on the tick to make it detach as this can cause it to regurgitate its contents into the person.
The next thing to do after removal is to send the tick in for testing. I was saddened to learn that NY State no longer has their free testing available at SUNY Upstate. PA still has free testing available through East Stroudsburg University. Ticknology is also an option for a small fee and can be used anywhere in the country. See links in comments.
Tick testing is important as it can help guide treatment therapies going forward once results are in.