NEW YORK — Thanks to the exploding mice population across the northeastern United States, this year looks like it’s going to be a bumper one for the ticks that the rodents play host to. <br /> <br />Ticks carry Lyme disease, which gives humans rashes, swollen lymph nodes and a host of other symptoms. <br /> <br />Speaking to NPR, Dr. Brian Fallon, who directs the Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases Research at Columbia University Medical Center, said people living in areas affected by Lyme disease should check their bodies daily for ticks. <br /> <br />And If you do find one, you shouldn’t panic, <br /> <br />Using tweezers, carefully remove the tick by pulling its mouth out of the skin. <br /> <br />Do not squeeze the tick’s body, as this can cause the contents of its stomach to burst onto the skin. Also, don’t use petroleum jelly or smoke to remove it. <br /> <br />Check with the Centers for Disease Control if Lyme disease is a problem in your area. Save the tick for lab testing. Monitor your health, and if you develop symptoms of Lyme disease, consult a doctor. <br /> <br />Around 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported in the U.S. each year, but health officials believe the true number to be 10 times that.
