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Alternative EarthCare Discusses the Dangerous Tick-Borne Babesiosis Illness on the East End
Alternative EarthCare Discusses the Dangerous Tick-Borne Babesiosis Illness on the East End
LONG ISLAND, N.Y., July 2018 Alternative EarthCare has been providing quality residential and commercial services across Long Island, New York since 1996. Specializing in mosquito, flea, and hamptons tick control service, traditional lawn services (including aeration and seeding), irrigation system services, tree removal and pruning, and Christmas and holiday light installation, the team of professionals successfully caters to your needs in the least toxic, most organic way possible.
When tick diseases come to mind, people often think of Lyme Disease. Unfortunately, there are a wide variety of illnesses caused by tick bites with symptoms that range from the mild, such as headaches and fevers, to the extreme, including death. One type of tick disease that many Long Islanders may not know about is Babesiosis, which, unfortunately, is on the rise. Alternative EarthCare discusses the dangerous tick-borne Babesiosis illness on the east end.
Preventative steps should be taken by all Long Islanders to keep themselves and loved ones safe, from wearing natural preventative oils and avoiding habitats to obtaining professional property treatments. However, even being precautionary can’t guarantee that you’ll never experience a tick bite, especially on the east end, where tick populations boom. The potential severity of tick-borne diseases makes it essential to be diligent in preventative measures.
Babesiosis, caused by Babesia parasites, is often compared to bad cases of malaria. It was even documented in the Bible as one of the ten plagues imposed upon the Egyptians. The majority of people infected with Babesiosis will show no signs of infection or will exhibit some minor symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and muscle aches. However, for those who suffer the worst of Babesiosis, which attacks red blood cells, the illness can lead to much worse. With over 1,000 cases reported annually, and with a mortality rate of 1 in 20 affected people, Babesiosis prevention is essential. Symptoms typically start to present themselves anywhere from one to six weeks after being bitten. Symptoms include extreme headaches, fever and chills, muscle and chest aches, shortness of breath, severe hemolytic anemia, and kidney failure. If there is any chance of a tick bite and any of these symptoms are present, it’s important to get tested for the disease. When possible, if bitten, keep the tick for testing purposes. Babesiosis can be treated with a combination of antibiotics and anti-malaria medications.
Babesiosis is carried by the black-legged tick, more commonly known as the deer tick, which is very common on Long Island’s east end. This same tick is also a carrier of Lyme disease. Always avoid habitats such as wooded areas, places of dense ground cover, or areas known to contain common tick hosts such as deer and small rodents. Keep limbs covered when near habitats, wear repellents, and conduct full body and hair scans after possible exposure. Thoroughly brush out pet fur and feel for any attached ticks to avoid them bringing ticks into the home. Plant tick-repelling plants on properties such as members of the mint family and lavender. Above all, obtain professional treatments to keep tick populations minimized on properties. If you suspect that you or a loved one has been bitten, get medical treatment as soon as possible to nip harmful diseases such as Babesiosis in the bud.
Serving both Suffolk and Nassau County, including the East End and the Hamptons, Alternative EarthCare offers a variety of organic, non-toxic lawn care services for your home or business. In addition to beautifying and maintaining properties, the award-winning staff is also dedicated to the safety and health of their customers.
