MARTINS FERRY — Health officials are warning residents of the hazards and dangers presented by ticks and their bites.

A serious health threat that has been around for several years is becoming a more common issue in the Ohio Valley, and health officials said residents should learn more about the tick problem and take steps to prevent contact with them. According to Belmont County Health Department Environmental Director Rich Lucas, there has been an increase this year in Lyme Disease cases from tick bites.

“There have been a little over 20 cases of Lyme in the past few months,” Belmont County Health Department nurse Lynn Schrum said.

Ticks play host to and carry different types of diseases, including anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis and tularemia. The local region, however, is in danger from another tickborne illness: Lyme disease. Health officials have said they want residents to know how to prevent contact with ticks and how to properly remove a tick if contact is made.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that people should know where to expect to find ticks before they head outdoors. They can live in grassy or wooded areas, places with tall weeds and on animals. Anyone who spends time outdoors for work or recreation could have contact with ticks, even in their own yard or neighborhood.

To discourage ticks from contacting you, treat clothing and gear with repellent products containing 0.5 percent permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and can remain protective through several washings. Local health department officials recommend using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone.

EPA’s search tool on its website, www.epa.gov, can help people find the product that best suits their needs. Health officials warn that you should always follow product instructions. Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months old, and do not use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old.

After you come indoors, health officials say you should check your clothing for ticks. Ticks may be carried into the home on clothing. Any ticks that are found should be removed. Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors. If the clothes are damp, additional time may be needed. If the clothes require washing first, hot water is recommended. Cold and medium temperature water will not kill ticks.

Shower soon after being outdoors. Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease and may be effective in reducing the risk of other tickborne diseases.

According to the CDC, showering may help wash off unattached ticks, and it is a good opportunity to do a tick check. Check your body for ticks after being outdoors. Conduct a full body check upon return from potentially tick-infested areas, including your own backyard. Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body.

Check these parts of your body and your child’s body for ticks:

∫ Under the arms;

∫ In and around the ears;

∫ Inside belly button;

∫ Back of the knees;

∫ In and around the hair;

∫ Between the legs; and

∫ Around the waist.

If you find a tick attached to your skin, the CDC says the key is to remove it as soon as possible. There are several tick removal devices on the market, but fine-tipped tweezers should do the trick. The CDC recommends grasping the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible and pulling upward with steady, even pressure. Officials warn that you should not twist or jerk the tick, which could cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. After removing a tick, clean the bite area and your hands. The CDC recommends using rubbing alcohol or soap and water.

A live tick can be disposed of by putting it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape or flushing it down the toilet, according to the CDC.

After removing a tick, be alert for symptoms of disease. See a doctor if you develop a rash or fever. Lucas said that if you do contract Lyme disease, it is completely curable by a long series of antibiotics.

For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at cdc.gov/ticks.