Ticks More Active During Summer, Protect Yourself From Bites

That parasitic, spider-like pest known as a tick are known to camp out in wooded areas where they hatch on to animals and feed off blood when attaching to skin. Though a bite from a tick won't necessarily do much damage, it can also cause an infectious disease that could potentially lead to serious illness if not diagnosed early, and during the warmer months, extra precautions may be needed. 

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, officials are encouraging residents to stay especially vigilant against tick bites during the spring and summer seasons. Though ticks can thrive any time when temperatures are above freezing, they caution that these are their most active months.

"With temperatures warming up and outdoor activities on the rise, it's important that people take simple, common-sense steps to protect themselves and their families against tick bites and the Lyme disease they can spread," said DPH state epidemiologist Dr. Alfred DeMaria, via Wicked Local Hingham. 

Ticks are tiny and are most commonly found in brushy, wooded or grassy areas, including backyards.

Live Strong notes that the transmission of tick-borne diseases occurs from an infected tick that his hit a human target, and can include bacteria, parasites or viruses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it's important to keep a record by region of all reported tick-borne disease, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Colorado tick fever and Babesiosis.

Of all the above mentioned, Lyme disease is the most common to be seen throughout the United States. According to the American Lyme Disease Foundation, "Lyme disease (LD) is an infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a type of bacterium called a spirochete (pronounced spy-ro-keet) that is carried by deer ticks. An infected tick can transmit the spirochete to the humans and animals it bites. Untreated, the bacterium travels through the bloodstream, establishes itself in various body tissues, and can cause a number of symptoms, some of which are severe."

Health officials suggest that anyone who thinks they may have been bitten by a tick or suffering from the following symptoms seek medical attention immediately. For those with Lyme disease, immediate antibiotic treatment is recommended to prevent possible further complications.