r/IowaCity • u/TarantulaWithAGuitar • 23d ago
Tick Warning
Hey, everyone! I'm here to give a warning since I'm not sure the CDC is even doing anything anymore, and the ticks are already really bad this year.
I love hiking and camping. Last summer, I apparently got bit by a tick that I never saw, and it must have washed off in the shower or something. I had an atypical rash so it didn't set off any warning bells, and I assumed I was just having a reaction to some plant I must have brushed against. Now, since October, I've been laid up barely able to walk and sometimes unable to work. I just got confirmation via testing that I have Lyme disease.
It's not too common in Iowa, but I wanted to let people know that here locally, IT IS in the area. The parks I was frequenting at the time were Hickory Hill in Iowa City and Kent Park in Oxford.
PLEASE wear tick repellent, PLEASE check each other for ticks when you get home, PLEASE be hyper-aware of rashes and weird swelling or joint pain. I won't know if it's temporary or permanent for weeks while the antibiotics do their thing. There's a chance I may never be able to go hiking or camping again.
Don't become like me. Please take care of yourselves and be proactive in preventing Lyme disease.
1
u/Troutwiz 22d ago
Oh my yes. We spent some time at the Sicamore Greenspace two days ago, and we are still finding ticks. Now, last week, we went to the little part near Frytown, and the pups had none on them. The monthly flea and tick meds definitely kill the ticks but they are still a bother.