05/22/2026
Early-season tick bites have been driving more people to emergency rooms since 2017, and Virginia, along with several other northeastern states, is in the bullโs-eye.
Thatโs according to the CDC, which hosts a live tick bite data tracker.
โTicks worry me more than bears and snakes, due to the diseases that they carry,โ says University of Virginia Dr. Christopher Holstege, who heads, among other things, the Blue Ridge Poison Center and UVA Student Health & Wellness.
Here, he explains whatโs happening and how to protect yourself.
๐ Why is there an increase in tick-related emergency room visits?
It is difficult to know the true numbers. We do know more people are getting engaged with the outdoors, which is wonderful, and I firmly believe, important for health. The increased outdoor activities lead to increased interactions with ticks and the potential for tick-borne diseases.
With warmer weather, tick exposure risk increases, and visits to medical providers subsequently increase, especially when ticks are embedded in the skin and cannot be removed.
๐ท What are some of the tick-borne diseases in Virginia?
Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, alpha-gal syndrome (which causes a red meat allergy), tick paralysis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever can occur in our region of the state. Several other serious, less common tickborne illnesses include babesiosis, anaplasmosis and tularemia.
โWhat should someone do if they find a tick on their body?
The recommended method for removing a tick involves grasping the tick as close to the skin as possible using fine-tipped tweezers and removing the tick using gentle, outward pressure. Personal protective equipment, nitrile or latex gloves, should be worn if available. Attempts to encourage the tick to disengage, like burning the tick with matches or ci******es or applying a smothering substance like petroleum jelly, gasoline or nail polish, are not recommended and can lead to harm. If you are unable to remove the tick, more invasive techniques may be required and should be performed in controlled settings such as a medical clinic.
โ ๏ธ What warning signs should people look out for?
Following a tick bite, a patient should watch for an expanding rash, such as a bullโs-eye pattern common with Lyme disease or the development of fever, chills, severe fatigue and joint pain. These are warning signs of Lyme disease or other tick-borne infections.
๐ฅ When should someone go to the emergency room?
Most tick exposures can be managed at home and do not require an emergency department visit. It is important to remove the tick as soon as it is found. A tick typically must be attached for 36 hours or more to transmit bacteria that cause infections like Lyme disease.
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How can people avoid ticks?
Ticks look for hosts in tall grass and brush, so avoid these areas. Additional protection can be obtained by wearing clothing that covers the skin, like long pants instead of shorts, and by applying repellents containing 20% of the insect repellent DEET. Topical repellents can be applied to exposed skin.
Clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents, can be treated with permethrin to provide additional protection. Permethrin-treated items remain protective through several washings. https://uvatoday.me/4eSMhIt
