SAUGUS — With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noting that 2026 has had the highest number of ER visits for tick bites since 2017 in all regions except the South Central U.S., Public Health Nurse Teresa Riley-Singh spoke about the issue at Monday’s Board of Health meeting.
“We’ve had seven Lyme cases. This is something I just want to touch upon because it’s the beginning of summer,” Riley-Singh said.
She noted that Lyme disease is one of 16 different pathogens and conditions transmitted here in the U.S.
“According to the DPH website, which tracks Lyme disease cases in Massachusetts, 2025 in Massachusetts 8,619 people felt sick enough to go to the doctor or to the ER and tested positive for Lyme disease,” she said.
In April alone, 134 ER visits for tick-borne illnesses have occurred.
Riley-Singh said it is something everyone should be aware of and that people should check themselves and their pets.
“The places that ticks usually go are inside or behind the ears, along the hairline, back of the neck, armpits, groin, legs, behind your knees, and between your toes,” she said. “Any place that there is warmth, they kind of gravitate toward.”
She said that a tick could just look like a freckle.
“If they are the dog ticks, they’re bigger, and they can be seen. Those aren’t dangerous. Those do not carry Lyme disease. The deer ticks are extremely small, and those are the ones that carry Lyme disease,” she said.
Riley-Singh said that if a tick is found on one’s body, they should not apply petroleum jelly or nail polish, or try to burn it off; instead, people should use tweezers, getting as close to the skin as possible before pulling.
“You want to circle that date that you found the tick on yourself or your child, and be aware, look for a rash or any sort of redness. If you do see something, you want to call your doctor,” she said, continuing that some people save the ticks to be tested for Lyme.
Riley-Singh also said that only 70-80% of people will develop a rash, and that other signs to watch for include headaches, fatigue, sore or aching muscles, stomach or intestinal problems, vomiting, diarrhea, and allergic reactions.
“There’s one instance in which Lyme disease, if you get bit by a tick, you can become anaphylactic and allergic to meat. People who’ve eaten meat their whole lives, they get bit by this tick, and they have a steak dinner, they can go into anaphylactic shock,” she said.
She said to stick to the main pathways and central trails. If you go into the woods, wear light-colored clothing so ticks are visible and long pants. Another method is to tuck your pants into your socks or to wear double-sided tape.
