# ER Visits for Tick Bites Hit 10-Year High
Emergency room visits for tick bites have reached their highest levels in over a decade, reflecting both increasing tick populations and growing concern about tick-borne illnesses. The surge coincides with expanding ranges of disease-carrying ticks across North America, driven partly by warming temperatures that extend tick season and allow species to survive in new regions.
Ticks transmit serious infections including Lyme disease, which infects roughly 300,000 Americans annually according to CDC estimates. Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis represent additional threats from tick exposure. The rising ER visits suggest people are becoming more cautious about tick encounters, or that severe reactions and infections are becoming more common.
Prevention remains the most effective defense. The CDC recommends several concrete steps. Use insect repellents containing 20 percent or higher DEET on exposed skin and clothing before outdoor activities. Wear long sleeves and pants in tick habitat, tucking pants into socks when possible. After being outside, check your entire body thoroughly, including hidden areas like the scalp, underarms, and groin.
Proper tick removal matters if you find one attached. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out with steady pressure. Avoid crushing the tick, which can release infectious material. After removal, clean the bite area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
Treat pets with veterinarian-approved tick prevention products year-round in most regions. Check pets daily during peak tick season. Maintaining your yard by removing leaf litter and keeping grass short reduces tick habitat.
If you develop a bull's-eye rash, fever, joint pain, or fatigue within days of a tick bite, seek medical attention promptly. Early antibiotic