As Alabamians spend more time hiking, camping, gardening and enjoying the outdoors this summer, UAB doctors say taking steps to prevent tick bites should be part of every outing — but so should protecting against heat illness.
According to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, ticks become more active during the warmer months and can transmit illnesses ranging from Lyme disease to Rocky Mountain spotted fever. While most tick bites are harmless, doctors say recognizing symptoms early and removing ticks properly can help prevent serious illness.
The Alabama Department of Public Health investigated 591 reports of suspected tick-borne illnesses in 2025 and confirmed 148 cases. The most common was spotted fever rickettsiosis, with 94 confirmed cases, followed by 37 cases of Lyme disease, 10 cases of ehrlichiosis and seven cases of anaplasmosis.
“While most tick bites are harmless, some can transmit potentially serious diseases, and the risk often depends on the species of the tick involved,” said Dr. Brandon Buchel, director of Emergency Medicine and Hospital Medicine at UAB St. Vincent in Chilton.
“The level of danger depends on the type of tick, how long it remains attached and whether it carries an infectious organism.”
Ticks are commonly found in wooded areas and high brush. Because their bites are painless, many people do not realize they have been bitten until they discover the tick or begin developing symptoms days or even weeks later.
According to UAB, symptoms of tick-borne illnesses can include fever, chills, fatigue, nausea, muscle aches, joint pain and, in some cases, a rash. Immediate irritation from the bite itself is usually limited to mild redness or itching.
“If a tick is found attached to the skin, it should be removed promptly using fine-tipped tweezers by grasping the tick close to the skin and pulling upward with steady pressure,” Buchel said.
After removing the tick, the area should be cleaned with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Buchel advises against home remedies such as burning the tick or covering it with petroleum jelly because they are ineffective and may cause additional irritation.
To reduce the risk of tick bites, the physicians recommend wearing long sleeves and pants when spending time in wooded or brushy areas, using insect repellents containing DEET, treating clothing with permethrin and performing full-body tick checks after spending time outdoors.
Parents should also check children, and pet owners should inspect their animals because pets can carry ticks into the home.
While protecting against ticks is important, the physicians said Alabama’s summer heat is an even more common health concern.
“You are more likely to have problems related to heat illness or dehydration than you are to be bitten by a tick,” said Dr. David Pigott, professor in UAB’s Department of Emergency Medicine.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says signs of heat exhaustion can include heavy sweating, headache, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, weakness and excessive thirst. Anyone experiencing those symptoms should move to a cool place, drink water if able and rest.
Confusion, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, seizures or a very high body temperature can signal heat stroke, a medical emergency. The CDC advises calling 911, moving the person to a shaded or cool area and beginning rapid cooling while waiting for emergency responders.
Pigott encouraged Alabamians to stay hydrated, schedule strenuous outdoor work during the cooler morning hours when possible and take frequent breaks to reduce the risk of heat-related illness.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
