Ticks are present throughout North Carolina, posing health risks to residents and visitors. These small, blood-feeding arachnids are common in outdoor environments. They can transmit various illnesses, making awareness and preventive measures valuable.
Common Tick Species in North Carolina
North Carolina hosts several common tick species. The American dog tick (wood tick) is widespread, identified by its reddish-brown body with white markings. Active in spring, summer, and fall, it inhabits grassy areas and wooded edges, often attaching to dogs and humans.
The blacklegged tick (deer tick) is smaller, with a reddish-orange body and dark legs. Found in wooded and grassy areas, its activity often peaks in cooler seasons. The Lone Star tick, named for the white spot on the female’s back, is common in the southeastern U.S. and known for aggressively biting humans. It thrives in wooded areas and tall grass during warmer periods.
The brown dog tick primarily feeds on dogs but can bite humans and can survive indoors. The Gulf Coast tick, with its reddish-brown body and white markings, is found in coastal regions, preferring large mammals and humans.
Tick-Borne Illnesses in North Carolina
Ticks in North Carolina can transmit several illnesses, mostly bacterial, causing flu-like symptoms. Early antibiotic treatment is often effective, but untreated cases can lead to serious health problems.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a concern, with North Carolina historically reporting many cases. The American dog tick primarily transmits RMSF. Symptoms, appearing 2 to 14 days after a bite, include high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, and sometimes a rash, which may start on the wrists and ankles but can be faint or absent.
Lyme disease, carried by the blacklegged tick, often presents symptoms 3 to 30 days after a bite. An early indication is an expanding circular rash, often resembling a “bull’s-eye.” Other initial symptoms include fatigue, chills, fever, headache, and muscle aches. Untreated, Lyme disease can affect joints, the nervous system, and the heart.
Ehrlichiosis, spread by the Lone Star tick, typically causes symptoms 5 to 10 days post-bite, such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue; a rash is less common. Alpha-gal syndrome, linked to the Lone Star tick, can induce an allergic reaction to mammalian meat, with symptoms like hives or digestive upset appearing hours after consumption. Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI) is also associated with the Lone Star tick, presenting with a bull’s-eye rash and flu-like symptoms.
Preventing Tick Bites
Reducing tick bite risk involves several practical measures, especially outdoors in tick-prone environments. Wearing appropriate clothing creates a physical barrier: long-sleeved shirts, long pants tucked into socks, and closed-toe shoes are recommended. Light-colored clothing also helps spot ticks.
Apply EPA-registered insect repellents to exposed skin. Products with at least 20% DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 are effective. Permethrin can treat clothing and gear, killing ticks on contact, but should not be applied to skin.
Avoid direct contact with tick habitats. Stay clear of tall grass, brushy areas, and leaf litter, and remain in the center of trails when hiking.
Perform thorough tick checks after outdoor activities. Ticks often migrate to warm, moist areas before attaching, so inspect:
- Under arms
- In/around ears
- Behind knees
- Between legs
- Around the waist
- In hair/scalp
Showering within two hours of coming indoors can wash off unattached ticks and allow for a full-body inspection. Tumble drying clothes on high heat for at least 10 minutes also eliminates ticks.
What to Do After a Tick Bite
If a tick is found attached, prompt and proper removal is important to reduce illness risk. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure, avoiding twisting or jerking, which can cause mouthparts to break off. If mouthparts remain, the body will naturally push them out.
After removal, clean the bite area and your hands thoroughly with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Do not use methods like burning the tick, applying petroleum jelly, or nail polish; these are ineffective and can potentially increase disease transmission.
For disposal, place the live tick in a sealed container, wrap it tightly in tape, flush it down the toilet, or submerge it in alcohol. Avoid crushing the tick with bare fingers. Keeping the tick for identification can be helpful if symptoms develop.
Monitor the bite area and your health for several weeks after a tick bite. Seek medical attention if a rash develops (especially an expanding red rash or bull’s-eye pattern) or if flu-like symptoms appear (fever, headache, muscle aches, or joint pain). Prompt medical evaluation is important if the tick was attached for more than 24-36 hours, as this increases disease transmission likelihood.