Fire Island News

Fire Island Ticks: Check Yourself
By P.J.S. Dougherty
Sunday, July 9th, 2006

Fire Island is not without its hazards. Miniscule hazards with eight legs and a hunger for blood: ticks. With the highest concentration of deer ticks of any National Park area in the Eastern United States, Fire Island is paradise for these parasites. Fire Island is home to three tick species, but none as dangerous or prevalent as the dreaded deer tick. While locals are aware of ticks, many visitors and Fire Island rental tenants are oblivious. Here’s all you need to know to stay tick-free and safe while enjoying Fire Island beaches.

For Fire Island ferry first-time passengers, everything is fresh with wonder. Upon arrival, new Fire Island visitors will gape in amazement at local deer, longing to get close and feed them by hand. These deer are not Bambi, however - visitors and locals are well advised to stay away. Sure, deer possess a certain gentle charm. But when you get close, Fire Island deer fall way short of animated perfection. Fire Island deer are mangy, wild animals. And those strange bumps you see up close, nestled in their hair? Those are engorged deer ticks - hence the name.

Lyme Disease in Fire Island
Ticks found on Fire Island are not typically born with disease, but instead acquire it from the animals that they feed on, such as deer. Lyme disease is the most widespread Fire Island tick-borne disease, and it is usually transmitted by the deer tick. Lyme disease usually - but not always - initially manifests as a red rash, sometimes raised, at the site of the tick bite. As the rash spreads, it leaves a patch of clear skin in the middle - the recognizable Lyme disease "bull’s-eye rash." Unfortunately, other Lyme disease indicators, such as headache, fatigue, fever, and flu-like symptoms, mimic other conditions - making Lyme challenging to diagnose in the absence of the bull’s-eye rash.

Lyme disease can be successfully treated with antibiotics. But if left untreated, a myriad of complications can occur in every organ system in the body. "When it gets to the 3rd degree, with heart problems, psychological factors, and deep-seated arthritis, Lyme disease is much harder to treat than when you catch it early," explains Dr. Michael Zimring, Director of Mercy Medical Center’s Wilderness and Travel Medicine Center and author of Healthy Travel: Don’t Travel Without It (Basic Health Publications).

Tick Ubiquity
Fire Island real estate and parks are crawling with these critters. Prevention and early detection are the keys to avoiding Lyme disease, so be prepared and stay aware. Ticks cannot fly, jump, or move quickly. They are, however, excellent hitchhikers. Ticks crawl up grass and bushes and attach themselves to passing animals - or humans. Therefore, it’s wise to stay on Fire Island trails. "Don’t walk where the grasses are high, or knee length," advises Zimring. "Walk in the center of the path, try to avoid the ticks. Then think about the overhang; the leaves . . . ticks are there, too, and they’ll get on your head."

Tick repellent is available, though it raises some toxicity concerns. Wearing light colored clothing helps, so that ticks can be spotted easily. Ideally, you should wear closed-toed shoes and long white pants tucked into white socks. Of course, you could also walk around Fire Island in a beekeeper’s suit and be completely tick-proof. But who’s going to do that?

Even those who diligently stick to Fire Island trails and avoid tick brushes are still at risk. Pets that are outside can pick up ticks and bring them inside, where they can easily end up on a couch or even a bed - perfect places to lie in wait for unassuming human hosts. "If you love animals, you have to get them checked, too," Zimring says.

Check Yourself, Check Your Friends
"Hey baby, can I check you for ticks?" should be the new official Fire Island pick-up line. That’s because, with all these insidious tick risks, vigilance may be the best way to minimize tick-borne diseases. Ticks need to feed for 24-48 hours before they can transmit diseases. Check for ticks frequently; check your body thoroughly. Because deer ticks can be so tiny, close inspection is necessary. Cheesy pickup lines aside, having a "tick check partner" ensures more coverage from a second set of eyes.

"When you get back inside, take a quick shower," advises Zimring. Being naked in the shower allows truly thorough tick checking. Pay special attention to less-obvious hiding spots on the body. Ticks have a devious intelligence for finding secluded areas where they can feed in peace. "They go for the warm spots, like your crotch or under your arm," says Zimring. "They want to get a nice cozy spot . . . a place to be hidden and lodged."

Tick Removal: the Right Way
Ticks often crawl around on a host before attaching themselves, and the risk of infection increases the longer a tick is attached. If you do find a tick, remove it immediately. While creative tick-removal techniques abound, like burning a tick with a lighter or suffocating a tick with Vaseline, the best technique is the most straightforward: "To remove a trick, use plain tweezers," says Zimring. "Grasp around its jaws and pull straight out. You don’t want to leave any jaw parts in the skin."

It’s better to resist the overwhelming urge to yank at a tick violently - such erratic force is what causes tick jaw parts to remain lodged while the body breaks free. Instead, use firm, steady force until the tick is extracted.

Save the tick - place it in an airtight container or Ziploc bag with a moist cotton ball. Should tick bite complications arise, having a positive ID on the tick can help with diagnosis. Even if you identify your tick as a dog tick or Lone Star tick - the other less-common tick species that inhabit Fire Island - you should be vigilant for any unusual symptoms, as these ticks can also carry other diseases, like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

Don’t stray from the paths of Fire Island. Wear light colored clothing. Check yourself and check your friends for ticks. Even if you’re checking out an attractive posterior, give it an extra scan for ticks. If you get caught, you were only trying to help. If you feel a tickle or unusual little bump on your skin, be sure to inspect it visually immediately - it could be a tick. Be vigilant for any strange symptoms, including the bull’s-eye rash of Lyme disease. Early treatment is critical - visit a doctor right away if you suspect tick-borne illness. With these tips in mind, you can keep your Fire Island experience healthy, happy, and tick-free.
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