Ticks are common in Tennessee’s outdoor environments, attaching to humans and animals. Understanding the types of ticks present and their potential health concerns is important for anyone spending time outdoors. Ticks can transmit various pathogens, making awareness and preventive measures valuable.
Prevalence and Common Species in Tennessee
Ticks are widespread throughout Tennessee’s varied landscapes, from forests and brushy areas to grassy fields and suburban backyards. Their presence varies by environment and time of year, often thriving in humid areas with ample animal hosts. Several species are frequently encountered.
The Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is common in Tennessee and known for aggressive biting. Females have a distinct white spot on their back, while males have white bands. These ticks are typically found in wooded areas and are most active from April through July.
The American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), also known as the wood tick, is another common species. These ticks are dark brown with silver streaks and feed on humans and larger mammals. They prefer grassy environments and are most active during spring and summer.
The blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), or deer tick, is present in wooded and brush-covered areas across Tennessee. These small ticks, comparable to a sesame seed, remain active year-round when temperatures stay above freezing. Other species, like the Gulf Coast tick and brown dog tick, are also found; the brown dog tick primarily bites dogs but can bite humans.
Health Risks from Tennessee Ticks
Ticks in Tennessee can transmit several diseases, each with distinct symptoms and severity. The Lone Star tick is associated with Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI), ehrlichiosis, and tularemia. STARI typically presents as an expanding red lesion, often resembling a bull’s-eye, at the bite site within seven days. This rash may be accompanied by fatigue, headache, fever, and muscle pains.
Ehrlichiosis, transmitted by the Lone Star tick, causes flu-like symptoms like fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches, usually within 5 to 14 days. A rash can occur, more commonly in children, and untreated cases may lead to severe complications. Lone Star ticks also transmit tularemia, which can cause fever, skin ulcers, and swollen lymph nodes, with symptoms appearing 1 to 14 days after exposure. Alpha-gal Syndrome, a red meat allergy, has also been linked to the Lone Star tick bite.
The American dog tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) and tularemia. RMSF typically begins with fever, headache, and muscle pain, with a non-itchy rash appearing on the wrists and ankles 2 to 10 days later. Prompt treatment is important for this disease. The American dog tick can also cause tick paralysis, a rare condition from tick saliva toxins leading to progressive, temporary paralysis.
The blacklegged tick transmits Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. Early Lyme disease symptoms (3-30 days post-bite) include an expanding red rash (erythema migrans), often resembling a bull’s-eye, and flu-like symptoms. Untreated, it can lead to severe joint pain, neurological issues, and heart problems. While not highly prevalent in Tennessee, confirmed cases are increasing.
Anaplasmosis, also transmitted by the blacklegged tick, presents with flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, muscle aches, and chills, usually within 5 to 14 days. A rash is uncommon. Babesiosis, another blacklegged tick-borne illness, can cause flu-like symptoms like fever, chills, and fatigue, typically appearing 1 to 6 weeks after a bite. Many infected individuals may not experience symptoms, but severe illness and hemolytic anemia can occur, especially in those with weakened immune systems. The blacklegged tick also carries the rare Powassan virus, which can lead to neurological damage.
Preventive Measures Against Tick Bites
Precautions can significantly reduce tick bite risk outdoors in Tennessee. Wearing appropriate clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and pants tucked into socks, creates a barrier. Light-colored clothing also helps spot ticks before they attach.
Using EPA-registered insect repellents with active ingredients like DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus provides protection. Apply these to exposed skin and clothing as directed. After returning indoors, perform thorough tick checks. Inspect your entire body, clothing, and any pets that were outside.
Maintaining your yard can create a less tick-friendly environment. Clearing tall grasses, brush, and leaf litter, and regularly mowing, reduces tick habitats. Creating physical barriers, such as wood chips or gravel, between wooded areas and your lawn can further deter ticks.
What to Do After a Tick Bite
Prompt and proper removal is important if you discover an attached tick. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull steadily upward with even pressure, avoiding twisting or jerking, which can leave mouthparts in the skin. After removal, clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
Monitor the bite site and your health for several weeks. Watch for symptoms like rash, fever, body aches, or joint pain. If a rash appears, especially an expanding red one, or if you experience fever, severe headache, or joint pain, seek medical attention promptly. Inform your healthcare provider about the tick bite.