Ticks are small, eight-legged arachnids that thrive in wooded and grassy environments across Tennessee. These parasites feed on the blood of animals and humans, acting as vectors for various pathogens. A single bite can potentially transmit bacteria, viruses, or protozoa that cause illness. Understanding the specific risks in the region is important for anyone spending time outdoors, especially when tick activity peaks.
Assessing Lyme Disease Risk in Tennessee
The question of whether ticks in Tennessee carry Lyme disease is complex, as the Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes scapularis), the primary vector, is established across the state. This tick species transmits the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease. While the tick is present, the reported incidence of locally acquired Lyme disease in Tennessee remains significantly lower than in states in the Northeast and Upper Midwest.
Tennessee’s Department of Health reported 39 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in 2023, an increase from the previous year, but a small number relative to the state’s population. These cases are concentrated primarily in the northern and eastern regions of the state, along the Appalachian Mountains and the Kentucky border. The expansion of the Blacklegged Tick population into the Southeast has made Lyme disease a growing concern, but it is not the most common tick-borne illness in the region.
Scientific surveillance in the Tennessee Valley has confirmed the presence of B. burgdorferi-infected ticks, though the overall infection rate is low. A 2017 study found that approximately 10% of Blacklegged Ticks collected in the Tennessee Valley were infected. However, localized “hot spots” were identified in counties like Union, where the infection prevalence was much higher. This suggests that while the overall risk is low, the threat level can vary greatly depending on the specific location within the state.
The Most Common Tick-Borne Threats in Tennessee
While Lyme disease garners significant attention, other tick-borne illnesses pose a more widespread threat in Tennessee. The most frequently reported disease is Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis (SFR), which includes Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). The American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis) is the main vector for the bacteria that causes RMSF and is widely distributed across the state. In 2021, the majority of tick-borne disease investigations in Tennessee were related to SFR.
Another prevalent threat is Ehrlichiosis, which is primarily transmitted by the Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum). This species is highly aggressive and is the most commonly encountered tick across Tennessee. The Lone Star Tick is responsible for transmitting the bacteria that causes Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (HME), an illness that shares symptoms like fever and headache with RMSF.
The bite of the Lone Star Tick also carries a unique, non-infectious threat known as Alpha-gal Syndrome. This condition is an allergy to the carbohydrate alpha-gal, found in most mammalian meat, such as beef and pork. The tick’s bite sensitizes the human immune system to this sugar molecule, resulting in allergic reactions when red meat is consumed. This makes the Lone Star Tick a triple threat, transmitting Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia, and causing this acquired meat allergy.
Prevention and Safe Tick Removal
Protecting yourself from ticks involves proactive steps before and after spending time outdoors, especially in brushy or wooded areas. When walking on trails, it is advisable to wear long pants tucked into socks and long-sleeved shirts to minimize exposed skin. Using an insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET on exposed skin and clothing can effectively deter ticks.
Upon returning indoors, a thorough tick check is paramount, focusing on areas like the hair, ears, armpits, and groin. Putting clothes immediately into a dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes will kill any ticks clinging to the fabric. Removing a tick quickly significantly reduces the risk of disease transmission, as many pathogens require the tick to be attached for 24 to 48 hours.
To safely remove an attached tick, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible, near its mouthparts. Pull upward with steady, even pressure, avoiding twisting or jerking, which can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. After removal, clean the bite area and your hands thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Avoid using folklore remedies like petroleum jelly, nail polish, or heat, as these methods do not work and may cause the tick to release infectious material.