After being outdoors:
Check your entire body thoroughly—lone star ticks are fast and will crawl
Pay special attention to: behind knees, groin area, armpits, in and behind ears, belly button, scalp and hairline
Shower within 2 hours of coming indoors
Check your pets and gear
Tumble dry clothes on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any hidden ticks
The Bottom Line
One lone star tick bite doesn’t mean you’ll get sick. Most bites are harmless, and prompt removal dramatically reduces risk. But because this species is aggressive and associated with several unique illnesses (including the red meat allergy), awareness is especially important.
Remember:
Remove it correctly (fine-tipped tweezers, steady upward pull)
Save the tick (for identification)
Watch for symptoms for 30 days
See a doctor if rash, fever, or allergic symptoms appear
Stay safe out there.
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