Ticks Are Part of Island Life. Tick-Borne Disease Does Not Have to Be.

To the editor: On Nantucket, we teach our children early how to live with the natural world. We check the weather before getting on the water. We respect the ocean. We know that the elements can change our plans in minutes.

We need to think about ticks the same way.

Ticks are not new to Nantucket, but the risks they carry are changing and expanding. Lyme disease has long been familiar to island residents, but it is not the only tick-borne disease families should know about. Babesiosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, Powassan virus, and other tick-related illnesses can also affect people who live, work, and spend time outdoors on the island. A quick glance at local and national headlines also highlights the emergence of lone star ticks and alpha-gal syndrome, sometimes called the “red meat allergy,” which can develop after a tick bite.

This is not a reason to panic. It is a reason to pay attention.

Tick-borne diseases can look different from person to person. Some people develop a bull’s-eye rash after a tick bite, but many do not. Symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle or joint aches, swollen lymph nodes, or a flu-like illness. Others may simply feel unusually tired or unwell without an obvious explanation. The message for families is simple: if symptoms develop after a tick bite or time spent in tick habitat, contact your healthcare provider.

Parents should also know that not every tick bite causes Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, alpha-gal, or another illness. But because tick-borne disease is common on Nantucket, prevention and early recognition matter.

The science is continuing to evolve as researchers learn more about the ecology, transmission, and treatment of tick-borne illnesses. While that work takes time, the good news is that there are steps we can take now to protect ourselves.

Before going outside, use an EPA-registered tick repellent. Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes when walking through brush, tall grass, trails, wooded areas, or overgrown yards. Light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot. Clothing and gear treated with permethrin can provide another layer of protection, especially for people who work outdoors, garden, hunt, coach, hike, or spend long hours in tick habitat.

After coming inside, do a tick check. For children, check the scalp, hairline, behind the ears, under the arms, around the waist, behind the knees, between the legs, around the ankles, and along sock lines. Ticks can be tiny, especially in the nymph stage, and may look like a small freckle or speck of dirt.

Bathing or showering soon after being outdoors can help remove ticks that have not yet attached. Placing clothing in the dryer on high heat can also help kill ticks. These small routines can make a meaningful difference.

Pets matter, too. Dogs and cats can bring ticks into the home. Families should speak with their veterinarian about tick prevention and check their animals regularly.

Yard maintenance is also important. Keeping grass trimmed, removing leaf litter, clearing brush around the edges of the yard, and creating a barrier between lawns and wooded areas can help reduce tick habitat. Pay particular attention to stone walls, woodpiles, tall grasses, and areas where children and pets play.

If you find an attached tick, remove it carefully with fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp it close to the skin and pull upward with steady pressure. Clean the area afterward. Do not burn the tick or cover it with petroleum jelly. The sooner an attached tick is removed, the better.

Following a tick bite, remain aware of any new symptoms. A rash, fever, chills, unusual fatigue, headache, muscle or joint aches, weakness, or a flu-like illness should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

We cannot remove every tick from Nantucket. But we can reduce bites. We can recognize symptoms earlier. We can teach children what to look for without making them afraid to play outside. We can support outdoor workers with the right clothing, repellents, and information.

Our beaches, trails, conservation land, gardens, farms, and backyards are part of what makes this beautiful island home. Protecting our health allows us to keep enjoying them.

A few minutes of prevention can help protect a child, a parent, a worker, a visitor, and our entire community.

Amy E. Lee, MBA, MBHA, MJ, FACMPE
President & COO, Nantucket Cottage Hospital