“As summer winds down and Labor Day approaches, many people are eager to squeeze in a few last moments outdoors. But, while tick activity has tapered off a bit since peaking in June, the risk for bites remains unusually high, especially in the Northeast and around Philadelphia.

Penn Today spoke with Sharon Tsay, an assistant professor of clinical medicine in the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Perelman School of Medicine, to discuss the tiny arachnids that attach themselves to the skin when they bite and can carry disease-causing germs.

Avoid them, what to do if bitten, including how to recognize the early symptoms of tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease:

Tip 1: Wear protective clothing such as long pants, socks, and shoes (not sandals), especially in high grass and/or wooded areas.

Tip 2: Use insect repellent.

Tip 3: Wash clothes and shower within an hour or two after returning from outdoor activity and remove any ticks found.

Tip 4: Be alert to symptoms such as rash, fever, and other flu-like symptoms.

Tick bites aren’t just irritating; they can transmit disease-causing agents, which is the bigger concern. One prominent example is the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, which is regularly found in this area.”

Penn Today (Ticks are still out there—here’s how to avoid them | Penn Today)